Production of commercial biodiesel from genetically modified microorganisms

Abstract

The invention provides a fermentation and recovery process for the production of biodiesel of commercial grade quality according to commercial and environmental standards (e.g., ASTM ANP, or EPA trace elements and emissions standards), by fermentation of carbohydrates using a genetically modified microorganism. The process provides a direct route for the production of fatty esters, without the need for producing oils which are later chemically transesterified with the concomitant production of large quantities of glycerin and other undesirable side-products.

1 . A composition produced by a microorganism, wherein the composition comprises one or more fatty esters. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to about 10 mg/kg of calcium and magnesium combined. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to about 500 ppm of sulfur. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to about 15 ppm of sulfur. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to about 0.02 wt. % of sulfated ash. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to about 0.05 vol. % of water and sediment. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to about 0.02 wt. % of free glycerin. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to about 0.38 wt. % of total glycerin. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition has a kinematic viscosity of about 1.9 mm 2 /s or more. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition has a kinematic viscosity of about 6 mm 2 /s or less. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition has a kinematic viscosity of about 1.9 mm 2 /s to about 6 mm 2 /s. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition has an acid number of less than or equal to about 0.8 mg KOH/g. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to about 10 mg/kg of phosphorous. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to about 10 mg/kg sodium and potassium combined. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition has a cetane number of about 47 or more. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition has an oxidation stability of about 3 hours or more. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition has a cloud point of about 10° C. or less. 
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to about 24 mg/kg of contaminants in the middle distillates. 
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to about 0.1 wt. % of carbon residue. 
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition has a density at 15° C. of about 860 kg/m 3  or more. 
     
     
         21 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition has a density at 20° C. of about 865 kg/m 3  or more. 
     
     
         22 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition has a flash point of about 100° C. or more. 
     
     
         23 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a total ester content of about 96.5 wt. % or more. 
     
     
         24 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition has a cold filter plugging point of about 5° C. or less. 
     
     
         25 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition has a copper strip corrosion rating of class 3 or lower. 
     
     
         26 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition has a methanol/ethanol content of equal to or less than about 0.5 wt. %. 
     
     
         27 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition has an iodine value of equal to or less than about 120 g/100 g. 
     
     
         28 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to about 0.02 ppm of copper. 
     
     
         29 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to about 2 ppm of boron. 
     
     
         30 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to about 2.0 ppm of chromium. 
     
     
         31 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to about 5 ppm of iron. 
     
     
         32 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to about 2 ppm of molybdenum. 
     
     
         33 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to about 35 ppm of nitrogen. 
     
     
         34 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to about 35 ppm of total halogens. 
     
     
         35 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to about 2.5 ppm of zinc. 
     
     
         36 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition emits about 2.3 g/bph-hr or less of NO X  gases. 
     
     
         37 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition emits equal to or less than 2 g/bhp-hr of total hydrocarbon. 
     
     
         38 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition emits about 0.007 g/bhp-hr or less of particulate matter. 
     
     
         39 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition emits about 0.001 to about 0.007 g/bhp-hr of particulate matter. 
     
     
         40 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition emits about 0.4 g/bhp-hr or less of CO. 
     
     
         41 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition emits 0.25 to about 0.4 g/bhp-hr of CO. 
     
     
         42 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to about 15 ppm of benzene. 
     
     
         43 . A biofuel composition comprising the composition of any one of  claims 1 - 42 . 
     
     
         44 . The biofuel composition of  claim 43  further comprising petroleum diesel. 
     
     
         45 . The biofuel composition of  claim 43 , further comprising one or more fuel additives selected from: engine performance additives, detergents, dispersants, antiwear agents, viscosity index modifiers, friction modifiers, antioxidants, rust inhibitors, antifoaming agents, seal fixes, lubricity additives, pour point depressants, cloud point reducers, smoke suppressants, drag reducing additives, metal deactivators, biocides and demulsifiers. 
     
     
         46 . The biofuel composition of  claim 45 , wherein the one or more fuel additives are first blended into a fuel additive package, wherein the additive package comprises a major amount of one or more base oils and a minor amount of one or more additives.