Claims
- 1. The mixed culture system comprising a biologically pure strain of the microorganism Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus, having the identifying characteristics of ATCC 31550 and a biologically pure strain of the microorganism Clostridium thermocellum, having the identifying characteristics of ATCC 31549, said culture system having the ability to produce ethanol in recoverable quantities upon fermentation in an aqueous nutrient culture containing cellulose material.
- 2. A mixed anaerobic, thermophilic culture system of the microorganisms Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus and Clostridium thermocellum each of said microorganisms isolated in biologically pure culture, having the identifying characteristics of ATCC 31550 and 31549, respectively, and having the ability, when combined in a mixed culture system, to yield ethanol as a major product constituent upon fermentation in an aqueous nutrient medium containing cellulose material.
- 3. A process which comprises cultivating Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus and Clostridium thermocellum having the identifying characteristics of ATCC 31550 and 31549, respectively, in a mixed nutrient culture medium containing cellulose material under anaerobic, thermophilic conditions until a recoverable quantity of ethanol is produced.
- 4. The process for producing ethanol from cellulose material which comprises subjecting said cellulose material to the fermentation action of anaerobic microorganisms Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus and Clostridium thermocellum having the identifying characteristics of ATCC 31550 and 31549, respectively, in a mixed nutrient culture to form ethanol and recovering said ethanol.
- 5. The process of claim 4 wherein said process in conducted under thermophilic conditions.
- 6. A process of claim 4, wherein said process is conducted at a pH range of between 6.8 and 7.8 and at a temperature of between about 45.degree. C. and 70.degree. C.
Government Interests
The invention is the result of a contract with the U.S. Department of Energy.
US Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
4094742 |
Bellamy |
Jun 1978 |
|
Non-Patent Literature Citations (2)
Entry |
Smith et al. "Bergys Manual of Determinative Bacteriology", Williams & Wilkins Co. Publishers, (1974), pp. 551 and 572. |
McBee, "The Characteristics of Clostridium thermocellum" J. of Bacteriology, vol. 67 (1954) pp. 505-506. |