Novel Immobilized-biocatalyst Bioreactors for Production of Fuels Chemicals

There are known biocatalytic pathways to produce many common fuels and petrochemicals. These biocatalysts can be either enzymes or living microorganisms. The challenge is to produce these fuels and chemicals efficiently and economically. Critical parameters include feedstock Costs, yield, rate and downstream processing. Here we will examine several immobilized biocatalyst reactor designs that will increase overall rates. We will also discuss extractive bioreactors designed to decrease downstream separation cost by directly removing the dilute inhibitory products. Illustrative examples tested at ORNL will include ethanol production, extractive fermentation to butanol, and nonaqueous enzymatic bioconversions.