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Organic acid production from CO 2 /H 2 and CO/H 2 by mixed‐culture anaerobes
Author(s) -
Levy P. F.,
Barnard G. W.,
GarciaMartinez D. V.,
Sanderson J. E.,
Wise D. L.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/bit.260231012
Subject(s) - chemistry , biomass (ecology) , acetic acid , microorganism , energy source , carbon fibers , environmental chemistry , effluent , sewage sludge , bacteria , food science , pulp and paper industry , fossil fuel , organic chemistry , sewage , environmental science , biology , agronomy , environmental engineering , materials science , genetics , composite number , composite material , engineering
The gases CO, CO 2 , and H 2 were used as substrates in anaerobic fermentations producing organic acids. Various mixed bacterial sources were used, including sewage sludge digester effluent, rabbit feces, and soil. Nonsterile microorganism selection was carried out using CO 2 /H 2 and CO/H 2 as the primary carbon and energy sources. Cultures were grown in specially designed, high‐pressure (to 70 psig) flasks. Methanogenic bacteria were eliminated from the cultures. Liquid products of the fermentations were acetic through caproic acids, with the even‐numbered acids predominating. Carbon balances showed conclusively that acetic acid was formed from carbon contained in the CO or CO 2 feed gas. Measurements made included rates of acid product formation, cell density, and degree of gas utilization. Limited characterization of the microorganisms was also performed. Production of organic acids by mixed culture inocula from CO 2 /H 2 or CO/H 2 had not been reported previously. Application of this work is to the production of organic chemicals from synthesis gas (SNG), produced by the gasification of fossil fuels (peat, lignite, and various ranks of coals), biomass (agricultural and forest residues, and various biomass crops grown expressly for energy recovery), and municipal solid waste.