HIGH CONVERSION EFFICIENCY, ENERGY-EFFICIENT, ANAEROBIC FERMENTATION PROCESSES USING A PRE-REACTOR/DEEP TANK REACTOR SYSTEM

摘要

Processes are disclosed for the low energy, anaerobic bioconversion of hydrogen and carbon monoxide in a gaseous substrate stream to oxygenated organic compounds such as ethanol by contact with microorganisms in a fermentation system with high conversion efficiency of both hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The processes of this invention use a pre-reactor and a deep, tank reactor in gaseous substrate flow sequence to obtain high conversion of gas substrate without undue risk of carbon monoxide inhibition.