Process to produce organic compounds from synthesis gases

Abstract

At least one isolated microorganism and a fermentation method to convert hydrogen gas, carbon dioxide gas, and/or carbon monoxide gas to a lower alkyl alcohol and/or carboxylic acid and to produce at least 2% by volume of the lower alkyl alcohol or carboxylic acid in an aqueous-based medium.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition comprising a butanol-tolerant microorganism in a fermentation broth, wherein said butanol-tolerant microorganism was developed by culturing microorganisms in a fermentation broth comprising at least 4% 1-butanol by volume. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said butanol-tolerant microorganism grows in said fermentation broth with at least 4% 1-butanol by volume. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said butanol-tolerant microorganism comprises genes that encode enzymes for producing 1-butanol, and produces 1-butanol. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the butanol-tolerant microorganism grows in a fermentation broth with at least 6% 1-butanol by volume. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said butanol-tolerant microorganism consumes glucose. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said butanol-tolerant microorganism produces butanol from cellobiose. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said butanol-tolerant microorganism is aerotolerant. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said butanol-tolerant microorganism is a rumen microorganism. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said butanol-tolerant microorganism is a genetic mutant developed in a laboratory. 
     
     
         10 . A process to produce butanol comprising a step in which a carbon substrate is fermented within the composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . A process to produce 1-butanol comprising a step: culturing a butanol-tolerant microorganism in a fermentation broth; wherein said butanol-tolerant microorganism converts a substrate to the 1-butanol; and wherein concentration of 1-butanol in said fermentation broth reaches at least 4% of broth by volume. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein the concentration of 1-butanol in the fermentation broth reaches at least 5% 1-butanol by volume. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein the concentration of 1-butanol in the fermentation broth reaches at least 6% 1-butanol by volume. 
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein the 1-butanol is removed from the fermentation broth. 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein the substrate comprises glucose. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein a source of hydrogen gas is added to said fermentation broth, wherein partial pressure of hydrogen gas is at least 0.02 atmospheres. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein the temperature of said fermentation broth is at least 25° C. 
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein revenue from the process exceeds market value of the 1-butanol. 
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 18 , wherein said revenue comprises a prize, grant, incentive payment, investment, or loan. 
     
     
         20 . A composition comprising a butanol-tolerant bacterium, wherein said butanol-tolerant bacterium tolerates at least 4% 1-butanol by volume, grows under anaerobic conditions producing butanol, appears as gram-stain positive non-motile cocci, and comprises 16-S rRNA that is at least 97% identical to a strain of  Enterococcus.