Microbial derived isoprene and methods for making the same
View Patent ↗A method for producing isoprene comprising an aqueous medium including genetically modified host cells capable of producing isoprene, where the resulting isoprene composition is processed through at least one separation and/or purification process to provide an isoprene enriched composition and a system for doing the same.
1. A method of making isoprene comprising:
a. culturing a plurality of host cells capable of making isoprene;
b. making isoprene by the host cells by taking a carbohydrate carbon source;
c. forming a first gaseous composition comprising the isoprene from step b and water, wherein the water is present in an amount greater than about 70% of its saturation amount;
d. subjecting the first gaseous composition to a first cooling step whereby substantially all of the water is removed from the first gaseous composition resulting in a second gaseous composition; and
e. subjecting the second gaseous composition to a second cooling step whereby a liquid isoprene composition is collected.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising nitrogen stripping the liquid isoprene composition.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the isoprene is present in an amount that is between about 0.1% and about 15% by volume in the first gaseous composition.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first gaseous composition further comprises carbon dioxide in an amount between about 1% and about 35% by volume.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first cooling step cools the first gaseous composition to a temperature between about 10° C. and about −15° C.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first cooling step is cooled using a propylene refrigeration system.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first cooling step is cooled using an ammonium refrigeration system.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second cooling step cools the second gaseous composition to a temperature between about −60° C. and about −85° C.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second cooling step is cooled using an ethylene refrigeration system.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the host cells are selected from the genus Bacillus, Escherichia or Acinetobacter.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the host cells are Escherichia coli.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the host cells are yeast.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the host cells are Saccharomyces cerevisiae.