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 . A method of making a fuel from biomass material, the method comprising:
 a. providing a biomass material comprising a high molecular weight carbohydrate;   h. hydrolyzing the biomass material to provide a hydrolyzed biomass material;   c. combining the hydrolyzed biomass material with  Clostridium phytofermentans  cells in a medium, wherein a concentration of carbohydrates in the medium is greater than 20 mM; and   d. fermenting the hydrolyzed biomass material under conditions and for a time sufficient to produce a fuel.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fuel comprises an alcohol selected from the group consisting of ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, and mixtures thereof. 
   
   
       3 . The method of claim wherein the biomass material, is hydrolyzed by treatment with an acid. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the biomass material is hydrolyzed by treatment with an enzyme or a mixture of enzymes. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the biomass material is hydrolyzed by treatment with an acid, followed, by treatment with an enzyme. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the biomass material is reduced in size prior to hydrolyzing. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrolysis step includes pretreatment with acid in an acidification unit, followed by de-watering. 
   
   
       8 - 39 . (canceled) 
   
   
       40 . A method of making ethanol from biomass material, the method comprising:
 a. providing a biomass material comprising as high molecular weight carbohydrate;   b. hydrolyzing the biomass material to provide a hydrolyzed biomass material;   c. combining the hydrolyzed biomass material with  Clostridium phytofermentans  cells in a medium, wherein a concentration of carbohydrates in the medium is greater than 20 mM; and   d. fermenting the hydrolyzed biomass material under conditions and for a time sufficient to produce ethanol.   
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the biomass material is hydrolyzed by treatment with an acid. 
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 40 , the biomass material is hydrolyzed by treatment with an enzyme or a mixture of enzymes. 
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the biomass material is hydrolyzed by treatment with an acid, followed by treatment with an enzyme. 
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the biomass material is reduced in size prior to hydrolyzing. 
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the hydrolysis step includes pretreatment with acid in an acidification unit, followed by de-watering.