(2020) Bioresource Technology_A new biorefinery platform for producing (C_2-5) bioalcohols through the biological/chemical hybridization process

Jung S., Kim H., Tsang Y.F., Lin K.-Y.A., Park Y.-K., Kwon E.E.

(Elsevier Ltd) Bioresource Technology ISSN: 9608524 Vol.311 Issue. Article No.123568 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.123568

This review presents an emerging biorefinery platform for C_2-5 bioalcohol production through chemical synthesis using the organic waste materials. Bioalcohols are the most commercialized carbon–neutral transportation fuels, compatible with existing an internal combustion (IC) engine. However, current bioalcohol fermentation processes have made from sugar-rich edible crops. Also, carbon loss from the fermentation process is substantial. To minimize carbon loss, volatile fatty acids (VFAs) can be utilized as a raw material for bioalcohol production. Thus, a two-step chemical upgrading of VFAs into C_2-5 alcohols is summarized in comparison with current challenges of biological fermentation processes for bioalcohol production. This review also provides the prospect of the hybrid biological/chemical process, presenting the technical advantages of the system. Finally, economic viability of hybridized process for bioalcohol production is compared with the current biological process. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grants funded by the Korea government (MSIT) (NRF-2019R1A4A1027795 and NRF-2019H1D3A1A01070644).