Table 1 Comparison of several carbon sources

Formula

C₂H₅OH

C₆H₁₂O₆

C₂H₅COOH

CH₃OH

CH₄

CO₂

Molecular weight

46

180

60

32

16

44

Carbon content (%)

52.1

40

40.7

37.5

74.9

27.3

State

liquid

liquid

liquid

liquid

gas

gas

Water solubility (g/L)^a

infinite

909

1,233

infinite

0.023

1.69

BOD^b

166

56

–

88

–

–

FHG^c

16000

4900

–

9700

–

–

ATP (mol/g)

0.326

0.178

0.133

–

–

–

NADH^d

2

4

0

–

–

–

Carbon recovery (%)^e

100

66.67

100

–

–

–

Price($/ton)^a

250–350

300–400

300–450

150–300

200–320

0–80