An isolated clostridia bacterial species ( Clostridium coskatii ATCC No. PTA-10522, “PS02”) is provided. Under anaerobic conditions C. coskatii can convert CO and/or H 2 and/or CO 2 to ethanol or acetate. Thus, this bacterium is capable of transforming waste gases (e.g. syngas and refinery wastes) into useful products.
1. A method of producing ethanol comprising, combining a carbon source, an electron source and Clostridium coskatii ATCC No. PTA-10522 under conditions which allow the Clostridium coskatii to convert the carbon source to ethanol.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the carbon source is CO 2 .
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the carbon source is CO.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the carbon source is an organic carbon.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the electron source is H 2 or CO.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the carbon source and the electron source are provided by syngas.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein combining of the carbon source, the electron source and Clostridium coskatii ATCC No. PTA-10522 is performed under anaerobic conditions.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the anaerobic conditions are established using the Balch technique.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the conditions further comprise adding a liquid medium that is chemically defined.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the liquid medium is Acetogen C3 medium.
11. The method of claim 9 wherein the liquid medium is an aqueous nutrient medium.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein the conditions include the use of fermentor containing the Clostridium Coskatii as immobilized cells.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein the conditions include suspending the Clostridium Coskatii in an aqueous media.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein the combining takes place in a continuous flow type reactor.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the combining takes place in a continuous stirred tank reactor.