Engineers at Ohio State University have found a way to double the production of the biofuel butanol, which might someday replace gasoline in automobiles.
The process improves on the conventional method for brewing butanol in a bacterial fermentation tank.
Normally, bacteria could only produce a certain amount of butanol—perhaps 15 grams of the chemical for every liter of water in the tank—before the tank would become too toxic for the bacteria to survive, explained Shang-Tian Yang, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at Ohio State. Science Daily
But Yang and his colleagues said they developed a mutant strain of the bacterium Clostridium beijerinckii in a bioreactor containing bundles of polyester fibers. In that environment, the mutant bacteria produced up to 30 grams of butanol per liter.
Butanol is mainly used as a solvent, or in industrial processes that make other chemicals. But experts believe once developed as a fuel, butanol could potentially be used in conventional automobiles in place of gasoline.
The engineers said they are applying for a patent on the mutant bacterium and the butanol production methodology, and will work with industry to develop the technology. United Press International
“Today, the recovery and purification of butanol account for about 40% of the total production cost,” says Yang.
“Because we are able to create butanol at higher concentrations, we believe we can lower those recovery and purification costs and make biofuel production more economical.”
Butanol has its advantages as a biofuel – it has a higher energy density than ethanol and doesn’t require the engine modifications that the latter demands. It can also be used as an additive in diesel. tce today
In Delaware last month, BP and DuPont announced the commencement of commercialisation of their butanol venture, which will be named Butamax Advanced Biofuels. According to the joint venture partners, Butamax Advanced Biofuels was formed to develop biobutanol – an advanced biofuel that will provide improved options for expanding energy supplies and accelerate the move to renewable transportation fuels which lower overall greenhouse gas emissions.”
Butamax combines BP’s expertise in fuels technology, development and infrastructure with DuPont’s leading capabilities in biotechnology, and is located in Wilmington, Delaware.
Two other US-based ventures are working on butanol-based solutions, Cobalt Biofuels and Gevo. Gevo recently received an investment from oil major Total, while Cobalt Biofuels has raised capital from a high-profile list of venture funds, including Pinnacle Ventures, Vantage Point Venture Partners, Malaysian Life Sciences Capital Fund, Ventures, LSP and Harris and Harris. Cobalt is raising capital for a demonstration plant, based on a small-scale, community-based funding and feedstock model. Transport and Logistics News
