Virginia/Projects/1
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'''Why Butanol? ''' | '''Why Butanol? ''' | ||
| - | As energy demands increase, the need for alternative fuel sources increases dramatically. US market size for butanol: 370 million gallons per year at a price of about $3.75 per gallon. That’s $1.4 billion. | + | |
| - | What is it used for? | + | As energy demands increase, the need for alternative fuel sources increases dramatically. US market size for butanol: 370 million gallons per year at a price of about $3.75 per gallon. That’s $1.4 billion. |
| + | |||
| + | '''What is it used for?''' | ||
| + | |||
Chemical and textile solvent, organic synthesis, chemical intermediate, paint thinner, base of perfumes, and, most importantly, as a biofuel. | Chemical and textile solvent, organic synthesis, chemical intermediate, paint thinner, base of perfumes, and, most importantly, as a biofuel. | ||
| + | |||
'''As a Biofuel''' | '''As a Biofuel''' | ||
| + | |||
Butanol biofuel can be used in cars without making engine modifications. It produces more power than ethanol and almost as much power as gasoline. | Butanol biofuel can be used in cars without making engine modifications. It produces more power than ethanol and almost as much power as gasoline. | ||
| + | |||
Butanol better tolerates water contamination and is less corrosive than ethanol and more suitable for distribution through existing pipelines for gasoline. | Butanol better tolerates water contamination and is less corrosive than ethanol and more suitable for distribution through existing pipelines for gasoline. | ||
| + | |||
'''Why isn’t it more widely spread?''' | '''Why isn’t it more widely spread?''' | ||
| + | |||
Historically low yields and low concentrations of biobutanol when compared to bioethanol have prevented industry from having stronger interest. | Historically low yields and low concentrations of biobutanol when compared to bioethanol have prevented industry from having stronger interest. | ||
| - | Product tolerance is the main issue. Butanol-producing bacteria (''Clostridia acetobutylicum'') become limited in growth at approximately 2.5% concentration. Isolating the product at this concentration is not economical. | + | |
| + | Product tolerance is the main issue. Butanol-producing bacteria (''Clostridia acetobutylicum'') become limited in growth at approximately 2.5% concentration. Isolating the product at this concentration is not economical. | ||
| + | |||
In the 1950s butanol production shifted from fermentation to being petrochemically-derived. This method continues to be the most popular today. | In the 1950s butanol production shifted from fermentation to being petrochemically-derived. This method continues to be the most popular today. | ||
| + | |||
There are developments in biobutanol production, however. Recently BP and Dupont announced the conversion of an ethanol fermentation facility in the UK to a dedicated biobutanol plant. Biobutanol from this plant will be introduced in 2007. | There are developments in biobutanol production, however. Recently BP and Dupont announced the conversion of an ethanol fermentation facility in the UK to a dedicated biobutanol plant. Biobutanol from this plant will be introduced in 2007. | ||
| - | References: | + | |
| + | '''References:''' | ||
| + | |||
http://www.butanol.com/ | http://www.butanol.com/ | ||
| + | |||
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2006/06/bp_and_dupont_t.html | http://www.greencarcongress.com/2006/06/bp_and_dupont_t.html | ||
| + | |||
http://i-r-squared.blogspot.com/2006/05/bio-butanol.html | http://i-r-squared.blogspot.com/2006/05/bio-butanol.html | ||
| + | |||
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butanol | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butanol | ||
Revision as of 15:23, 19 July 2007
Biosynthesis of butanol biofuel by a synthetic metabolic pathway in E. coli
We have designed a metabolic system capable of cellulose degradation and light metabolism in order to power the biosynthesis of butanol fuel. This hybrid molecular engine is built from standard biological parts and may be used in future designs in order to drive forward cellular chemistry.
Background, Motivation, and References
Why Butanol?
As energy demands increase, the need for alternative fuel sources increases dramatically. US market size for butanol: 370 million gallons per year at a price of about $3.75 per gallon. That’s $1.4 billion.
What is it used for?
Chemical and textile solvent, organic synthesis, chemical intermediate, paint thinner, base of perfumes, and, most importantly, as a biofuel.
As a Biofuel
Butanol biofuel can be used in cars without making engine modifications. It produces more power than ethanol and almost as much power as gasoline.
Butanol better tolerates water contamination and is less corrosive than ethanol and more suitable for distribution through existing pipelines for gasoline.
Why isn’t it more widely spread?
Historically low yields and low concentrations of biobutanol when compared to bioethanol have prevented industry from having stronger interest.
Product tolerance is the main issue. Butanol-producing bacteria (Clostridia acetobutylicum) become limited in growth at approximately 2.5% concentration. Isolating the product at this concentration is not economical.
In the 1950s butanol production shifted from fermentation to being petrochemically-derived. This method continues to be the most popular today.
There are developments in biobutanol production, however. Recently BP and Dupont announced the conversion of an ethanol fermentation facility in the UK to a dedicated biobutanol plant. Biobutanol from this plant will be introduced in 2007.
References:
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2006/06/bp_and_dupont_t.html
http://i-r-squared.blogspot.com/2006/05/bio-butanol.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butanol
Background
Butanol production, cellulase, proteorhodopsin (associated organisms, etc.)
Biobrick and pathway design
Include plasmid and metabolic pathway diagrams.
Methods and Materials
GCMS, etc.
Results and Conclusions
TBD
