Ethanol from coal
Ethanol from coal is the
synthesis gas
. Early studies with C. ljungdahlii showed that relatively high concentrations of ethanol were produced. This process involves three main steps:
- Gasification: Thermal gasification at temperatures of up to 2,200°F in a reducing, very low oxygen atmosphere transforms organic materials into simple CO, CO2 and H2 gases.
- Fermentation: The acetogenic C. ljungdahlii convert the carbon monoxide into ethanol.
- Distillation: Ethanol is separated from hydrogen and water.