Green Biologics Limited

Edward Green

Rosa Maria Dominguez-Espinosa

Ross Patrick Simms

Carl-Axel Magnusson Lalander

Matthew Crow

The invention relates to a process and system for the production of a solvent using monophasic solventogenic Clostridia in a single stage process. More particularly, the process and system relate to the use of a culture vessel for culturing monophasic solventogenic Clostridia, wherein cell growth of theis monitored and optimized by the addition of controlled amounts of culture media and/or the removal of controlled amounts of solvent. The process and system may particularly be used to produce solvents such as butanol, acetone and ethanol.

Solvent production

The present invention relates to a two stage continuous microbiological process for the production of solvents such as acetone, butanol and ethanol. The process involves the use of a solventogenic bacteria such as. In the first(acidogenic) stage, the culture vessel is fed with fresh growth media at dilution rates that support fast growth and acid production. The culture flows into the second (solventogenic) stage, which is a separate culture vessel or vessels, designed to provide the culture with sufficient residence time to convert acids into solvents. This vessel can be tubular or a series of linked batch vessels.

Two-stage continuous process for producing a solvent

The invention relates to a process for producing organic acids, acid derivatives thereof and/or organic alcohols. In particular, the invention relates to a process for culturing a butyric acid-producing micro-organism in a culture vessel; transferring a portion of the butyric acid which is produced in the culture vessel to a separate compartment; and then reintroducing a portion of the acids from the second compartment in a controlled manner into the culture vessel. The invention also relates to a process for making butanol. The invention further relates to a process for culturing a butyrate-producing micro-organism in a first compartment of an electrochemical reactor, passing a direct current electric field across the electrochemical reactor and harvesting butyric acid or acid derivatives thereof in a second compartment of the reactor. The invention further relates to a process for producing butanol from the butyric acid.

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Bisham, United Kingdom

Edward Green