One-Pot Bioprocess for Caproic Acid and Hydrogen Co-Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing caproic acid and hydrogen from organic substrates are often dependent on external electron donors like ethanol, which increases costs and limits application range, and do not efficiently produce hydrogen simultaneously with caproic acid using lactic acid as an intermediate product.
Innovation Solution
A one-step bioprocess in a single bioreactor that utilizes microbial consortia to convert organic biomass into caproic acid and hydrogen, where lactic acid acts as an in-situ electron donor, operating under specific conditions to inhibit methane formation and optimize caproic acid and hydrogen production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If external electron donors like ethanol are used for caproic acid production, then caproic acid production is achieved, but production costs increase and application range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses lactic acid produced in-situ by lactic acid producing bacteria as the electron donor for caproic acid production, eliminating the need for external electron donors like ethanol. This self-service approach reduces production costs and expands application range to various organic substrates that can be converted to lactic acid.
Solution Approach 2:
The bioprocess can utilize various organic substrates (carbohydrates, proteins, lipids) as feedstock, converting them through lactic acid to caproic acid. This multi-functionality replaces the need for specific external electron donors with a universal substrate acceptance capability.
2Productivity
If multi-step processes are used for caproic acid production, then production efficiency is improved, but capital and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines lactic acid production and caproic acid production into a single integrated bioprocess occurring in one bioreactor. Lactic acid producing bacteria and caproic acid producing bacteria coexist and work sequentially, eliminating the need for separate fermentation steps and reducing capital and operating costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The process is segmented into functional zones within the same bioreactor: lactic acid producing bacteria convert substrates to lactic acid, which then serves as substrate for caproic acid producing bacteria. This spatial segmentation allows multi-step chemistry in a single reactor vessel.
3Productivity
If lactic acid is used as external substrate, then caproic acid production is achieved, but process flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Lactic acid producing bacteria perform preliminary conversion of various organic substrates (carbohydrates, proteins, lipids) into lactic acid in-situ. This preliminary action expands substrate versatility while ensuring the specific metabolic pathway needed for caproic acid production is activated.
Solution Approach 2:
Lactic acid acts as an intermediary substance that connects diverse organic substrates to caproic acid production. Instead of requiring caproic acid bacteria to directly process various substrates, lactic acid serves as a universal intermediate that simplifies the metabolic pathway while maintaining substrate flexibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method achieves high productivity and reduces capital and operating costs by producing caproic acid and hydrogen simultaneously in a single step, with caproic acid specificity reaching up to 82% and hydrogen comprising a significant portion of the gaseous phase, while minimizing methane production.
Implementation Method 1
A one-step bioprocess in a single bioreactor that utilizes microbial consortia to convert organic biomass into caproic acid and hydrogen, where lactic acid acts as an in-situ electron donor
Data Source
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AI summary
Method for one-pot co-production of caproic acid and hydrogen comprising following steps: a) providing organic carbon source in the form of biomass and open culture of microorganisms containing lactic acid producing consortia, b) transformation of organic carbon source in the presence of microorganisms, such that lactic acid present or formed during the process is further converted to caproic acid and hydrogen which are in liquid and gaseous phase respectively, c) separating formed caproic acid and hydrogen.