Distributed Biomanufacturing of Liquefied Petroleum Gas

Abstract

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is a major domestic and transport fuel. Its combustion lessens NOx, greenhouse gas and particulates emissions compared to other fuels. Propane - the major constituent of LPG - is a clean, high value drop-in fuel that can help governments develop integrated fuels and energy policies with low carbon burden, providing solutions to the multi-faceted challenges of future energy supply. We show that bio-LPG (bio-propane and bio-butane) can be produced by microbial conversion of waste volatile fatty acids that can be derived from anaerobic digestion, industrial waste, or CO2 via photosynthesis. Bio-LPG production was achieved photo-catalytically, using biomass propagated from bioengineered bacteria including E. coli, Halomonas (in non-sterile seawater), and Synechocystis (photosynthetic). These fuel generation routes could be implemented rapidly in advanced and developing nations of the world to meet energy needs, global carbon reduction targets and clean air directives.