Continuous Membrane Assisted IBE fermentation from AVAP(R) Sugars Award Number: DE-EE0006879 CX(s) Applied: A9, B3.6 Bioenergy Technologies Office Date: 01/28/2015 Location(s): GA Office(s): Golden Field Office
Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance
January 28, 2015
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Continuous Membrane Assisted IBE fermentation from AVAP(R) Sugars
Award Number: DE-EE0006879
CX(s) Applied: A9, B3.6
Bioenergy Technologies Office
Date: 01/28/2015
Location(s): GA
Office(s): Golden Field Office
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to provide funding to American Process, Inc. (API) to improve the individual unit operations and the integration of the unit operations for the production of isopropanol, butanol and ethanol solvents from agricultural and woody cellulosic biomass using Continuous Membrane Assisted IBE (isopropanol-butanol-ethanol) Fermentation.
The proposed project activities would consist of data analysis; computer modeling; preliminary engineering and design; and laboratory and pilot-scale research and development. Laboratory-scale research and development would occur at both the University of Maine and the API facility in Thomaston, GA while all pilot-scale research and development activities would occur at the API facility. The API facility is an existing plant currently used for biomass conversion. The project would develop a continuous fermentation system involving the biological conversion of cellulosic sugars produced by the existing API facility into a mixture of butanol, isopropanol and ethanol. A total of 1,570 kilograms of solvent would be produced throughout the duration of the project. Physical modifications to the facility as a result of the proposed project would include new insulation, air-conditioning and general water and sewer hookups as well as a new walk-in fume hood and exhaust system to allow for the installation of new fermentation and solvent extraction equipment in an existing lab storage area.