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Extraction of Bio-Butanol using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

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Renewable biofuels such as butanol are being researched due to the depletion of fossil fuels. Researchers at MIT are genetically modifying B. Megaterium, a bacteria that survives at high pressure in anaerobic conditions, to produce bio-butanol. Butanol is potentially a great alternative for the ethanol dominated biofuel market since it is more energy dense and less flammable than ethanol. At WPI we are operating a supercritical carbon dioxide extraction system compatible with the organism. The system results show a slight increase in extraction rate when changing initial butanol concentrations from 1 to 3 wt.% but no change when increasing the pressure from 1500 to 2000 PSI. Experimental and theoretical models were created to predict extraction rates and overall mass transfer coefficients.

  • This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.
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  • E-project-042816-093354
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  • 2016
Date created
  • 2016-04-28
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Permanent link to this page: https://digital.wpi.edu/show/7d278v65m