Fermentation Acceleration by Separation Technology

Bio-based processes for production of fuels and chemicals are often limited in product titre and overall productivity, resulting in high energy intensive and costly downstream processing. In order to enable the commercial implementation of bio-based processes in the short term, process and reactor-innovations are needed that complement other biotechnological approaches, such as strain improvement.

The FASTEST approach

In this project, Wageningen Food and Biobased Research (WFBR) collaborates with the Dutch spin-off Delft Advanced Biorenewbables (DAB) in further developments of DAB’s Fermentation Acceleration by Separation [FAST] technology platform. The FAST technology enhances volumetric productivity, limits overall product toxicity of fermentation and pushes fermentation more towards continuous modes of operation. The WFBR team will apply its extensive knowledge on anaerobic fermentation and strain engineering to expand the application range of the FAST technology. As one of the products of interest, butanol as jet fuel precursor was identified as high potential molecule for FAST.

This project has received subsidy from the Dutch government through RvO in the DEI+ program for demonstration of technologies than enhance CO₂ reductions in the industry. One of the goals of the project is to pilot the FAST reactor concept for production of bio-based chemicals and fuel and to validate its performance at a scale up to 10m³.