This paper focuses on the novel idea of encapsulating bacteria in hydrogel fibers for efficient use in fermentation of glycerol to 1, 3 propanediol. Glycerol is a great starting material because it is cheap and readily available. It is the byproduct of many industries. According to 2015 DOE reports, it is one of the top 10 biomass in industry. On the other side of the reaction, 1, 3 propanediol is a high-value material. It is used as a platform chemical for polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT), polyurethanes, and cosmetics and personal care products. Current production methods of 1,3 Propanediol utilize harsh chemical routes and require high temperatures and pressure. The fermentation of glycerol presents a green and less energy intensive alternative. The problem facing the fermentation synthesis method is that the product stream requires extensive purification and enrichment. Traditional fermentations are carried out with free-floating bacteria that must be separated with filters in the downstream line. This cuts down on the efficiency of the overall process. This paper proposes the idea of encapsulating the bacteria in a hydrogel before any fermentation even occurs. Containing the bacteria in the hydrogel removes the need to filter the product stream because the bacteria will be held in the reaction chamber.

Fiber technology for fixed-bed bioreactor design

254th National Meeting (2017)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.