Effects of Syngas Sources On Ethanol Production Via Fermentation

2007 DOT-RITA Integrated Award

 

PI: Dr. Mark Wilkins (Oklahoma State University, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering)
Co-PI: Dr. Ray Huhnke (Oklahoma State University); Dr. Krushna Patil (Oklahoma State University); Dr. Danielle Bellmer (Oklahoma State University); Dr. Randy Lewis (Brigham Young University)

Funded: $337,194

Start Date: 07/01/2007

End Date: 12/31/2011

 

Expected Outcomes

1. A database of biomass-syngas constituents based on several feedstocks including switchgrass, wheat straw, and corn gluten as well as co-firing of switchgrass and wheat straw with coal.
2. An assessment of biomass-syngas constituents on the effects of cell growth, substrate consumption, ethanol production, and enzyme activity.
3. An assessment of the effects of gasification agents on generated biomass-syngas species and the fermentation process.
4. The development of a scrubbing system to reduce nitric oxide levels.
5. The development of gas clean-up systems to reduce or eliminate other biomass-syngas contaminants that are found to affect the fermentation process adversely. The information obtained in the above mentioned deliverables would enable us to design a more efficient and economically viable gasification-fermentation process.