Apparatus and method for syngas bio-methanation

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of waste treatment, pyrolysis and gasification and concerns an apparatus (40) for syngas bio-methanation comprising a unit (12) for pyrolysis / gasification receivingorganic material, the unit (12) for pyrolysis / gasification generating syngas, comprising at least one membrane reactor (16) inside a liquid bath (17) comprising at least one bacteria population, the membrane reactor (16) comprising at least one hollow fiber (5) in contact with the liquid bath (17), around which a biofilm is formed and into which the syngas from the unit (12) for pyrolysis / gasification flows, so as to convert the syngas into methane. The invention also concerns a method for bio-methanation of syngas comprising a step of providing syngas from a unit for pyrolysis / gasification toa membrane reactor inside a liquid bath comprising at least one suitable bacteria population, the membrane reactor comprising at least one hollow fiber in contact with the liquid bath, around which abiofilm is formed and into which the output syngas of the unit for pyrolysis flows, so as to convert the syngas into methane.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to the fields of waste treatment, pyrolysis and gasification, and to a device for biomethanation of syngas. The present invention also relates to a process for the biomethanation of synthesis gas and aims at providing methane from organic materials of low methane potential. Background technique [0002] Methanation involves the reaction of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide to form methane and water and / or carbon dioxide. Various methanation processes are currently being developed, including catalytic conversion or biomethanation (biocatalysis from microorganisms). [0003] Chemocatalytic processes are expensive and often require high pressures and temperatures. These disadvantages can be avoided by using biological pathways to convert syngas compounds to methane at normal temperature and pressure. Several studies have shown that microorganisms are able to convert carbon monoxide (CO) to methane (CH4) under anaerobic ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Therefore, the digester can be bulky and have a high footprint (have an important volume and have a high footprint)

[0009] Furthermore, if the syngas is injected into an infinitely mixing digester (also known as a continuous stirred tank reactor), its mass transfer in the liquid may be limited, requiring gaseous recirculation of the gas phase, which further increases the overall process complexity

Furthermore, in digesters processing organic feedstocks, the bacterial populations used may not be specific for syngas conversion

[0010] Finally, during maintenance or shutdown of the digester, the overall system lacks flexibility since it is not possible to bioconvert the syngas to methane

This reduces biological CH 4 Guarantee of annual production, and there is a risk that the syngas produced will not have value

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