Abstract:
The invention relates to improvements in the production of butanol and butyrate by microbial fermentation, particularly to production of alcohols by microbial fermentation of a substrate comprising CO and the addition of an inorganic sulfur additive. It more particularly relates to the provision of an inorganic organic sulfur source to a fermentation system such that one or more micro-organisms convert a substrate comprising CO to butanol. In one aspect the invention uses a sulfur additive comprising inorganic sulfur compounds having a +2 to a +4 sulfur oxidation state that produces sulfur oxoanions and hydrosulfur oxoanions in an aqueous fermentation medium.
Abstract:
Processes are disclosed for preparing microorganism concentrates from fermentation broth containing a free suspension of the microorganisms which is used for the anaerobic conversion of syngas to oxygenated organic compound. The processes involve the use of processing steps and the presence of certain additives to enhance the ability of the microorganism concentrate to be stored for extended periods and reactivated.