Ethanol from coal

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

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:

  1. 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.
  2. Fermentation: The acetogenic C. ljungdahlii convert the carbon monoxide into ethanol.
  3. Distillation: Ethanol is separated from hydrogen and water.

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