title: n-Butanol derived from biochemical and chemical routes: A review.
abstract: Traditionally, bio-butanol is produced with the ABE (Acetone Butanol Ethanol) process usingClostridiumspecies to ferment sugars from biomass. However, the route is associated with some disadvantages such as low butanol yield and by-product formation (acetone and ethanol). On the other hand, butanol can be directly produced from ethanol through aldol condensation over metal oxides/ hydroxyapatite catalysts. This paper suggests that the chemical conversion route is more preferable than the ABE process, because the reaction proceeds more quickly compared to the fermentation route and fewer steps are required to get to the product.
authors.affiliation: Focus area: Energy system, School of Chemical and Minerals Engineering, North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus), Potchefstroom, South Africa.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ndaba
authors.affiliation: Focus area: Energy system, School of Chemical and Minerals Engineering, North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus), Potchefstroom, South Africa.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Chiyanzu
authors.affiliation: Focus area: Energy system, School of Chemical and Minerals Engineering, North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus), Potchefstroom, South Africa.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marx
keywords: ABE fermentation; Bio-butanol; Chemical synthesis