Table 1 Comparison of industrial biotechnology and chemical technology
From: New challenges and opportunities for industrial biotechnology
Items | Industrial biotechnology | Chemical technology |
|---|---|---|
Reaction Time | Slow: production takes days | Fast: production takes hours |
Substrates | Agricultural products | Petroleum or its derivatives |
Conversion of substrates to products | Low: e.g. PHB/glucose ≈ 33 wt% PHA/fatty acids ≈ 60 wt% | High: e.g. Polyethylene/ethylene ≈ 100% |
Medium | Water | Mostly organic solvents |
Consumption of water | A lot | Less |
Reaction conditions | 30-40°C, normal pressure | Generally >100°C, High Pressures |
Product concentration | Low: Several mg to 100 g/L | Very high |
Product recovery cost | Very high | Low to medium |
Processing | Normally discontinuous one | Can be continuous |
Sterilization | Necessary | No need |
Production facility cost | Very high | Low to high (explosive proof) |
Waste water | Not toxic, easier to treat | Generally toxic, difficult to treat |