Plant biomass fermentation by the extreme thermophile Caldicellulosiruptor bescii for co-production of green hydrogen and acetone: Technoeconomic analysis. (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bing, Ryan G.; Straub, Christopher T.; Sulis, Daniel B.; Wang, Jack P.; Adams, Michael W.W.; Kelly, Robert M.
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 348(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: Acetone -- Green hydrogen -- Caldicellulosiruptor bescii -- Extreme thermophiles -- Technoeconomic analysis; Biomass -- Periodicals; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Bioremediation -- Periodicals; Agricultural wastes -- Periodicals; Factory and trade waste -- Periodicals; Organic wastes -- Periodicals; Bioénergie -- Périodiques; Déchets agricoles -- Périodiques; Déchets industriels -- Périodiques; Déchets organiques -- Périodiques; Déchets (Combustible) -- Périodiques; 662.88
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.126780
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Bioconversion of soybean hulls and transgenic poplar to acetone and green H2 . Bioproducts from extremely thermophilic fermentation are industrially feasible. Hydrogen co-production with acetone significantly improves process economics. Acetone preferred to ethanol to optimally allocate reducing equivalents. Abstract: A variety of chemical and biological processes have been proposed for conversion of sustainable low-cost feedstocks into industrial products. Here, a biorefinery concept is formulated, modeled, and analyzed in which a naturally (hemi)cellulolytic and extremely thermophilic bacterium, Caldicellulosiruptor bescii, is metabolically engineered to convert the carbohydrate content of lignocellulosic biomasses (i.e., soybean hulls, transgenic poplar) into green hydrogen and acetone. Experimental validation of C. bescii fermentative performance demonstrated 82% carbohydrate solubilization of soybean hulls and 55% for transgenic poplar. A detailed technical design, including equipment specifications, provides the basis for an economic analysis that establishes metabolic engineering targets. This robust industrial process leveraging metabolically engineered C. bescii yields 206 kg acetone and 25 kg H2 per metric ton of soybean hull, or 174 kg acetone and 21 kg H2 per metric ton transgenic poplar. Beyond this specific case, the model demonstrates industrial feasibility and economic advantages of thermophilic fermentation.