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impaginato corretto fullone_Layout 1 13/10/15 12.09 Pagina 47 Department of Engineering, ICT and Technologies for Energy and Transport Patent Title Title Plant equipped with biofilm reactors for butanol Plant equipped with biofilm reactors for butanol production. production. Ref. CNR 10416 Rif. CNR 10416 Assignee(s): CNR , University of Naples Federico II CNR Institute: IRC Main Inventor: Maria E. Russo Countries: IT Priority date: 29/04/2015 Abstract Abstract The present invention relates a biofilm reactor series used to perform Acetone-Butanol-Ethanol (ABE) The present invention relates a biofilm reactor series used to perform Acetone Butanol Ethanol (ABE) fermentation in a multi-stage system where products (acetone, butanol, ethanol, acetic and butirric acid) fermentation in a multi stage system where products (acetone, butanol, ethanol, acetic and butirric acid) were obtained from the anaerobic fermentation of sugars contained in the liquid stream fed to the were obtained from the anaerobic fermentation of sugars contained in the liquid stream fed to the system. According to the invention, in the biofilm reactor series large butanol concentration can be system. According to the invention, in the biofilm reactor series large butanol concentration can be achieved so that the productivity and the sugar conversion can be enhanced alternatively. achieved so that the productivity and the sugar conversion can be enhanced alternatively. Background Background The present invention belongs to those systems devoted to the production of biofuels by means of the The present invention belongs to those systems devoted to the production of biofuels by means of the fermentation of sugars from renewable sources. Bio-butanol is efficiently produced through ABE fermentation of sugars from renewable sources. Bio butanol is efficiently produced through ABE fermentation with Clostridia bacteria. Recently, the effectiveness of biofilm reactors in ABE fermentation fermentation with Clostridia bacteria. Recently, the effectiveness of biofilm reactors in ABE fermentation have been proved. have been proved. Technology Technology The system is made by N reactor in series (N>2). Each reactor is filled with fixed supports where Clostridia The system is made by N reactor in series (N>2). Each reactor is filled with fixed supports where Clostridia cells grow as attached biofilm. The pH is controlled in order to manage the occurrence of the acidogenic cells grow as attached biofilm. The pH is controlled in order to manage the occurrence of the acidogenic and solventogenic phases of ABE fermentation along the N reactors. and solventogenic phases of ABE fermentation along the N reactors. Advantages and Applicatons Advantages and Applications The present invention can be industrially adopted for fermentation of any renewable feedstock containing The present invention can be industrially adopted for fermentation of any renewable feedstock containing sugars for biofuels production. The described technology can improve the efficiency of the butanol sugars for biofuels production. The described technology can improve the efficiency of the butanol production with respect to the current technology. production with respect to the current technology. Development stage Development stage The invention has been developed at laboratory scale and has been tested under conditions consistent The invention has been developed at laboratory scale and has been tested under conditions consistent with industrial operations. Its configuration can be adopted for scale up purposes. with industrial operations. Its configuration can be adopted for scale up purposes. 47