Systems and methods for producing biofuels and related materials

Abstract

Clostridium phytofermentans cells (American Type Culture Collection 700394 T ) and all other strains of the species can ferment materials such as biomass into useful products and coproducts, such as ethanol, hydrogen and organic acids. Compositions that include Clostridium phytofermentans are also disclosed.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
   
   
       13 . A method of making a fuel comprising:
 a. combining  Clostridium phytofermentans  cells and a lignocellulosic material in a medium; and   b. fermenting the lignocellulosic material under conditions and for a time sufficient to produce a fuel.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the lignocellulosic material is selected from the group consisting of wood, wood pulp, papermaking sludge, paper pulp waste streams, particle board, grasses, rice hulls, bagasse, cotton, jute, hemp, flax, bamboo, sisal, abaca, straw, corn cobs, corn stover, distillers grains, leaves, wheat straw, coconut hair, algae, switchgrass,  Miscanthus , legume plants, sorghum, biomass crops ( Crambe ), and mixtures thereof. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the medium has dissolved therein constituents selected from the group consisting of growth factors, minerals, surfactants, chelating agents, and mixtures thereof. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein conditions include maintaining the medium at a temperature of less than about 45° C. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein conditions include maintaining a pH of the medium below about 9.5. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the fuel is ethanol, and wherein conditions include maintaining a concentration of the ethanol lower than about 1 M. 
   
   
       19 - 39 . (canceled) 
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said medium comprises lignocellulosic material and wherein said  Clostridium phytofermentans  comprises from about 20 ABC-type transport proteins. 
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said medium comprises a high concentration of 5-carbon sugars. 
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said medium comprises cellulose concentrations of greater than 40 mM. 
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said medium comprises a pretreated biomass. 
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said medium comprises a hydrolyzed biomass. 
   
   
       45 . A method of making ethanol comprising:
 a. combining  Clostridium phytofermentans  cells and a lignocellulosic material in a medium; and   b. fermenting the lignocellulosic material under conditions and for a time sufficient to produce ethanol.   
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the lignocellulosic material is selected from the group consisting of wood, wood pulp, papermaking sludge, paper pulp waste streams, particle board, grasses, rice hulls, bagasse, cotton, jute, hemp, flax, bamboo, sisal, abaca, straw, corn cobs, corn stover, distillers grains, leaves, wheat straw, coconut hair, algae, switchgrass,  Miscanthus , legume plants, sorghum, biomass crops ( Crambe ), and mixtures thereof. 
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the medium has dissolved therein constituents selected from the group consisting of growth factors, minerals, surfactants, chelating agents, and mixtures thereof. 
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein conditions include maintaining the medium at a temperature of less than about 45° C. 
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein conditions include maintaining a pH of the medium below about 9.5. 
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein said medium comprises lignocellulosic material and wherein said  Clostridium phytofermentans  comprises from about 20 ABC-type transport proteins. 
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein said medium comprises a high concentration of 5-carbon sugars. 
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein said medium comprises cellulose concentrations of greater than 40 mM. 
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein said medium comprises a pretreated biomass. 
   
   
       54 . A method of making hydrogen comprising:
 a. combining  Clostridium phytofermentans  cells and a lignocellulosic material in a medium; and   b. fermenting the lignocellulosic material under conditions and for a time sufficient to produce hydrogen.