Biofuels Production from Synthesis Gas Fermentation

A commonly known physico-chemical route for the production of biomass-based fuels is the thermochemical treatment of the biomass into a gas phase mixture of CO and H₂O (also known as “synthesis gas”), followed by high temperature chemical conversion to biofuel oils. The first step is sometimes called “biomass gasification”. In the second step, the chemical conversion to biofuels is usually done by the “Fischer Tropsch” process (more information is available on the related links below).

A biological route for the second step (the conversion of synthesis gas into carbon compounds for biofuels) is also possible, as some microorganisms have the capability of fermenting synthesis gas into carbon compounds. In an article recently published in the journal Current Opinion in Biotechnology, the microbiology of “synthesis gas fermentation” for the production of carbon compounds for biofuels is presented.   Related Links: Biomass Gasification, Fischer Tropsch Process and Synthesis Gas from Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biomass_gasification http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fischer-Tropsch_process