Ethanol from coal
# Ethanol from coal

Ethanol from coal is the ethanol produced using coal as its carbon source. The anaerobic bacterium Clostridium ljungdahlii produces ethanol and acetic acid from CO, $CO_2,$ and $H_2$ in synthesis gas. Early studies with C. ljungdahlii showed that relatively high concentrations of ethanol were produced. This process involves three main steps:

* Gasification: Thermal gasification at temperatures of up to 2,200°F in a reducing, very low oxygen atmosphere transforms organic materials into simple CO, $CO_2$ and $H_2$ gases.
* Fermentation: The acetogenic C. ljungdahlii convert the carbon monoxide into ethanol.
* Distillation: Ethanol is separated from hydrogen and water.

## Sources

* Green car
* Springerlink
* Resting cells
* Ethanol from coal advancing
