Continuous processing of biofuel and biochemical production using membrane processes

Butanol can be produced from hydrolysates of lignocellulosic biomass using the organism Clostridium which has the natural ability to utilize pentoses from hardwood and agricultural residues. This reduces the need for genetically modified organisms which can be a concern to the general public. By producing butanol from the wheat
straw available in Skåne, it would be possible to produce 0.5 TWh/y of liquid biofuels. We aim to reduce the butanol production cost by integrating membranes processes in the production. This project will be first part of our commitment and will focus on the heart of the process, the fermentor. Using a membrane bioreactor concept – a
standard concept for wastewater treatment industry, cell mass and fermentation conditions can be optimized beyond the current batch processes by moving towards a continuous concept with higher yield. Further, energy-efficient butanol pre-concentration by water-exchange with forward osmosis will be studied.