Patent ID: 8980596
Filing Date: 2015-03-17
Classification: C12M,C12P,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method for the production and recovery of ethanol and 2,3-butanediol from a mixture of fermentation products , the method comprising; a. flowing a gaseous substrate to a bioreactor containing a culture of one or more microorganisms in a liquid nutrient broth; b. fermenting the gaseous substrate to produce a fermentation broth comprising a mixture of fermentation products comprising ethanol and 2,3-butanediol; c. passing the fermentation broth to a treatment zone, wherein at least a portion of biomass and/or soluble proteins is removed from the fermentation broth to provide a treated stream; d. flowing the treated stream to a Simulated Moving Bed module comprising an adsorbent; e. adsorbing at least a portion of the ethanol and 2,3-butanediol from the treated stream to the adsorbent to yield a raffinate stream; f. passing a solvent through the adsorber to desorb the ethanol and 2,3-butanediol and provide an extract stream; g. passing the extract stream to a recovery zone operated at conditions to provide an ethanol stream and a 2,3-butanediol stream; and h. passing at least a portion of the raffinate stream back to the bioreactor.