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A Mini-Review on Syngas Fermentation to Bio-Alcohols: Current Status and Challenges

Author

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  • Vishal Ahuja

    (University Institute of Biotechnology, Chandigarh University, Mohali 140413, Punjab, India
    University Centre for Research & Development, Chandigarh University, Mohali 140413, Punjab, India)

  • Arvind Kumar Bhatt

    (Department of Biotechnology, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla 171005, Himachal Pradesh, India)

  • Balasubramani Ravindran

    (Department of Environmental Energy and Engineering, Kyonggi University, Yeongtong-Gu, Suwon-si 16227, Republic of Korea)

  • Yung-Hun Yang

    (Department of Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
    Institute for Ubiquitous Information Technology and Applications, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea)

  • Shashi Kant Bhatia

    (Department of Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
    Institute for Ubiquitous Information Technology and Applications, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea)

Abstract

Biomass gasification produces syngas, mainly comprised of CO and H 2 along with H 2 S, CO 2 , N 2, and tar compounds. Inorganic carbon present in syngas as CO and CO 2 can be utilized for the production of several value-added chemicals including ethanol, higher alcohols, fuels, and hydrogen. However, chemical sequestration operates at a high temperature of 300–500 °C and pressure of 3–5 MPa in the presence of heavy metal catalysts. Catalyst regeneration and the maintenance of high temperature and pressure increased the cost of operation. Microorganisms like algae and bacteria including Acetobacterium and Clostridium also have the potential to sequester carbon from the gas phase. Research has emphasized the production of microbial metabolites with a high market value from syngas. However, scale-up and commercialization of technology have some obstacles like inefficient mass transfer, microbial contamination, inconsistency in syngas composition, and requirement for a clean-up process. The current review summarizes the recent advances in syngas production and utilization with special consideration of alcohol and energy-related products along with challenges for scale-up.

Suggested Citation

  • Vishal Ahuja & Arvind Kumar Bhatt & Balasubramani Ravindran & Yung-Hun Yang & Shashi Kant Bhatia, 2023. "A Mini-Review on Syngas Fermentation to Bio-Alcohols: Current Status and Challenges," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-21, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:4:p:3765-:d:1072841
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gabriele Calì & Paolo Deiana & Claudia Bassano & Simone Meloni & Enrico Maggio & Michele Mascia & Alberto Pettinau, 2020. "Syngas Production, Clean-Up and Wastewater Management in a Demo-Scale Fixed-Bed Updraft Biomass Gasification Unit," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-15, May.
    2. Monir, Minhaj Uddin & Aziz, Azrina Abd & Khatun, Fatema & Yousuf, Abu, 2020. "Bioethanol production through syngas fermentation in a tar free bioreactor using Clostridium butyricum," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 157(C), pages 1116-1123.
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    4. Bhatia, Shashi Kant & Bhatia, Ravi Kant & Jeon, Jong-Min & Kumar, Gopalakrishnan & Yang, Yung-Hun, 2019. "Carbon dioxide capture and bioenergy production using biological system – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 143-158.
    5. Westerholm, Maria & Moestedt, Jan & Schnürer, Anna, 2016. "Biogas production through syntrophic acetate oxidation and deliberate operating strategies for improved digester performance," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 124-135.
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