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Metabolic modeling of synthesis gas fermentation in bubble column reactors
Jin Chen1, Jose A Gomez2, Kai Höffner2
1Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 010003 USA.
Biotechnology for Biofuels
|June 25, 2015
Summary
Developing integrated models for syngas fermentation in bubble column reactors is crucial for renewable fuel production. This study presents a spatiotemporal metabolic model for Clostridium ljungdahlii, aiding in optimizing ethanol and 2,3-butanediol synthesis.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Chemical Engineering
- Microbial Physiology
Background:
- Syngas fermentation offers a pathway to renewable fuels and chemicals like ethanol.
- Industrial application requires integrated metabolic and transport models for syngas bubble column reactors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a spatiotemporal metabolic model for syngas fermentation in bubble column reactors.
- To analyze the impact of process and cellular parameters on reactor performance.
Main Methods:
- Combined genome-scale reconstruction of Clostridium ljungdahlii metabolism with multiphase transport equations.
- Developed a spatially discretized reactor model solved using DFBAlab in MATLAB.
- Simulated effects of parameters on ethanol titer, ethanol-to-acetate ratio, and CO/H2 conversions.
Main Results:
- Evaluated a spatiotemporal metabolic model for syngas fermentation using Clostridium ljungdahlii.
- Analyzed key performance indicators including ethanol production and gas conversions.
- Demonstrated the model's ability to predict reactor performance.
Conclusions:
- Mathematical modeling is a valuable tool for understanding and optimizing syngas fermentation.
- Model predictions can guide engineering efforts to improve biochemical production.
- This work addresses the need for integrated models in industrial syngas fermentation.
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