Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The requested equipment is not available on the SDSMT campus. The multi-vessel fermentation system for parallel fermentation of microorganisms will be a critical component in addressing both basic and applied research questions in the bioprocessing and bioenergy related research projects on the SDSMT campus. The CBRD research program aligns with the SDSMT Research Plan for infrastructure and capacity building. The CBRD infrastructure development is in agreement with the proposed School's strategic plan for research development. It will contribute to the development of the Black Hills region and assist local Black Hills entrepreneurs and small business start-up and spin-off companies interested in Bioprocessing R&D. Bioenergy and renewable energy is one of the State's priorities for future economic development and the Center at SDSMT in partnership with SDSU, SD government and private sector provides the leadership in biofuels research, technology development and transfer. South Dakota is among the nation's largest agricultural states, positioned to serve as a natural laboratory providing the opportunity to produce biofuels from a variety of available feedstock - grasses, forestry and agri-waste. South Dakota is home to the largest corn ethanol producer in US and the world - Poet and the fifth largest ethanol economy in US. The main objectives of our research program at CBRD are in alignment with the national and international strategies for environmental, social and economic development. One of the nation's top priorities is the reduction of the dependence on imported fuels as a means to boost the national economy and its international competitiveness, resilience and flexibility, diversify market products utilizing carbon-neutral waste-free technologies, reduce and mitigate the environmental impact of greenhouse gas emissions thereby combating climate change and global warming. The realization of our biofuels research program will bring about a number of economic, environmental and social benefits to our global society. Collaboration with local industry and Federal Laboratories Contribution to the CBRD infrastructure development will also strengthen our collaborative contacts with local industry and with Federal Laboratories such as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) and National Center for Agriculture Utilization Research (NCAUR). CBRD is an active member and a partner in the recently formed Industry-University Cooperative Research Center (I/UCRC) for Bioenergy Research and Development (CBERD), created and funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). This is the only NSF BioEnergy Center for the country. The I/UCRC, headquartered at SDSMT as the lead institution, brings together the Kansas State University, North Carolina State University, State University of New York at Stonybrook, the University of Hawai'and over 30 industrial and Federal laboratory partners to conduct industry relevant bioenergy and biofuels research and development.
Animal Health Component
50%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
50%
Applied
50%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
The purpose of this grant is to acquire a Multi Vessel Fermentation System (DASGIP BioTools, LLC) for use in the area of fermentation of lignocellulosic biomass to biofuels and biochemicals. This is a state-of-the-art equipment used for parallel fermentation of microorganisms under fully controlled conditions of pH, temperature, redox potential, gas and feed supply, aeration and agitation. The instrument is a critical component in addressing both basic and applied research questions in the biofuels-related research of the Center for Bioprocessing Research and Development (CBRD). The overall goal of the Center is reduce the national dependence on imported fuels and boost the national economy by developing biofuels technologies which utilize carbon-neutral waste-free technologies that mitigate the environmental impact of greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. The instrument will fill our need for multiple small to mid-sized bioreactors that offer full control of all key fermentation parameters. It will contribute to the development of the CBRD infrastructure and strengthen our collaborative contacts with other institutions and industry. This acquisition will boost our capabilities for screening, optimization and scale-up of promising biofuels technologies and enhance our research and development productivity and competitiveness. Due to its highly automated and compact design, this equipment will save space, time and manpower for its operation. The PD, Dr. Lew Christopher, will have principle use of the equipment, however, its value will be maximized through campus-wide sharing to enhance the interdisciplinary collaboration at the School of Mines and Technology (SDSMT).
Project Methods
The multi-vessel fermentation system for parallel fermentation of microorganisms will be used by the PD and co-investigators at SDSMT in one or another project phase of the following project thrusts: Biochemical conversion of feedstock to transportation fuels and chemicals: Bioconversion using DUSEL (Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory) extremophiles; Bioconversion using genetically engineered microorganisms; Consolidated bioprocessing; Biohydrogen production Product recovery and downstream processing: Controlling membrane fouling during separations of biomass slurries; Recovery of high-value products from biorefinery process streams; Separation of inhibitory compounds from sugars in a biomass hydrolyzate Utilization of by-products from the chemical and biofuels industry: Utilization for bioethanol production; Utilization fo biodiesel production. The Parallel Bioreactor System consists of four independently and individually operated fermentation vessels with variable working volume (from 60 ml to 4500 ml) and with monitoring and fully automated control of fermentation time, pH, redox potential, feed and gas supply, aeration, agitation and temperature control. The feed is provided by a multi pump module of eight independently operated peristaltic pumps with variable speed drive motors for continuous flow rates from 0.3 ml/h to 420 ml/h. The gas mixing station has four independently operated outputs which allow the supply of mass-flow controlled gas mixtures. The temperature is controlled up to 99oC which is especially useful in testing of thermophilic microorganisms with unique properties in the development of robust high temperature resistant microbial bioprocesses for production of biofuels and biochemicals. Using a proprietary unique "triggering" software system, the multi-fermentor is able to bring a multi-step bioprocess such as biomass pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis and ethanolic fermentation into one automated workflow where different phases of the process take place in different vessels. The automation and integration of multi-processes allows the evaluation of different microorganisms under identical conditions (screening), or the same microorganism under different conditions (optimization). It would permit replications of multiple treatments, and an adequate volume for longer term sampling. The active agitation and aeration system would overcome the mass transfer limitations of shake flasks. Further, the simultaneous and automated use of different vessel sizes provides the option of "auto-inoculation" and scale-up studies.