Chapter 12 - Advances in gas fermentation processes

• Microbial metabolism enables the sustainable synthesis of fuels and chemicals from gaseous substrates (H2, CO, and CO2), thus drastically diminishing the carbon load in the atmosphere. Various value-added biochemicals and biofuels, such as acetate, methane, ethanol, butanol, butyrate, caproate, and bioplastics, have been produced during the conversion of syngas or H2/CO2, using a variety of microorganisms as biocatalysts. Gas fermentation processes using acetogenic and methanogenic organisms are being extensively investigated. This chapter provides an overview of microbial CO and CO2 conversion technology, with an emphasis on recent developments and integration with renewable electricity for the generation of H2 or other forms of electron donors. A discussion on technological challenges in gas fermentation addresses issues, such as poor mass transfer, low microbial biomass, and low productivity. It also presents possible solutions based on the latest advances in bioelectrochemical processes including microbial gas electrofermentation. Finally, the chapter includes a sustainability analysis of the process and includes a brief update on commercially established companies operating gas fermentation systems. Overall, an integrated approach combining gas fermentation and renewable electricity offers an opportunity for the development of CO and CO2- based biochemical and biofuel production at commercial scale.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Energiteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Energy Engineering (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Industriell bioteknik -- Bioenergi (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Industrial Biotechnology -- Bioenergy (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Syngas fermentation

CO2

utilization

gas electrofermentation

biofuels

biochemicals

sustainability

Biokemisk processteknik

Biochemical Process Engineering

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

kap (subject category)