The present invention provides methods and systems for producing
biofuel and
bioenergy products using, as starting
raw material,
xenobiotic materials or compounds. The
xenobiotic materials or compounds may originate from industrial or chemical plants, municipal waste, pharmaceutical products, cosmetic and
personal care products, or other sources, and may include aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated organic solvents and other halogenated hydrocarbons, as well as heteroaromatic compounds. In accordance with the invention, these materials act as a
carbon source to support the
metabolism of
xenobiotic-degrading microorganisms, thereby producing
biomass and / or
biogas that may be converted to
bioenergy products by microbial synthesis. For example, the
biomass may be converted to products such as
ethanol,
methanol,
butanol, and
methane, among others. The
biogas may be converted to
hydrogen gas and
biodiesel, among others. Thus, the present invention couples the microbial breakdown (
decomposition) of xenobiotic materials with the microbial synthesis of
biofuel, thereby supplying needed (inexpensive)
energy products, while reducing environmental
pollution and
contamination, and reducing the costs associated with disposal of
hazardous waste.