Processes and Bioreactor Designs for Butanol Production from Lignocellulosic Biomass

Butanol is a chemical, solvent and a good liquid fuel, which can be produced from lignocellulosic biomass. This paper provides a review on the processes involved in butanol production from lignocellulosic biomass. Processes reviewed include: metabolic pathways of most commonly used microorganisms, lignocellulosic biomass as a potential feedstock for butanol production and bioreactor designs for batch and continuous butanol production. Butanol production from lignocellulosic biomass via different bioreactor designs is compared in terms of butanol concentration, butanol yield and butanol productivity. Factors affecting the fermentative butanol production are summarized and discussed: microbial inhibitors, acetate addition, butyrate addition, hydrogen production, culture stability, anaerobic conditions, agitation, pH, and temperature.