Acetogenic Bacteria Bioconversion of CO and CO2
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide from industrial processes contribute to climate change and global warming, and existing technologies struggle to effectively utilize these gases in biological processes due to their highly oxidized state and flammable nature, respectively.
Innovation Solution
A process involving acetogenic bacteria with sodium and proton translocating ATPases is used in bioreactors to convert carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide into organic acids and alcohols, utilizing sodium ions and maintaining specific pH levels to enhance carbon capture and alcohol production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are utilized in biological processes, then carbon capture and conversion to useful products is improved, but the difficulty arises from their highly oxidized state making them resistant to biological utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces acetogenic bacteria as intermediary organisms that specialize in converting carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide into organic acids and alcohols. These bacteria act as mediators between the resistant gaseous carbon compounds and useful biological products, overcoming the inherent resistance of CO2 and CO to biological utilization through specialized metabolic pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical state and availability of carbon by converting gaseous CO2 and CO into dissolved organic compounds through bacterial fermentation. This parameter change transforms the carbon from a resistant gaseous state to a biologically可利用 organic state, enabling further conversion into useful products.
2Productivity
If hydrogen is utilized from industrial processes, then carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide conversion is improved, but hydrogen storage and utilization becomes difficult due to its flammable nature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses acetogenic bacteria as intermediary organisms that safely convert hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide into stable organic products. The bacteria act as a buffer between the flammable hydrogen and the final stable products, eliminating the need for direct hydrogen storage and handling while maintaining high conversion efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful flammable hydrogen into useful organic acids and alcohols through bacterial fermentation. This transformation turns the hazard of hydrogen storage and handling into a beneficial process that produces stable, storable products while eliminating the flammability issue.
3Productivity
If high concentrations of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are processed, then carbon capture effectiveness is improved, but the complexity of the bioreactor system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the carbon conversion process into separate functional stages: carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide conversion to organic acids in one bioreactor, followed by conversion to alcohols in a second bioreactor. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, managing system complexity while maintaining high carbon capture effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs acetogenic bacteria that can utilize multiple carbon sources (carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen) simultaneously in a single bioreactor system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate processing systems, simplifying the overall architecture while maintaining high carbon capture effectiveness.
4Productivity
If sodium ions are provided at high feed rates to acetogenic bacteria, then organic acid production is improved, but the requirement for precise sodium ion control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control mechanisms to monitor and adjust sodium ion feed rates based on actual bacterial consumption and organic acid production. This feedback system automatically optimizes the sodium ion supply, maintaining high productivity while reducing the operational burden of precise manual control through real-time monitoring and automated adjustment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This process achieves high conversion rates of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, producing organic acids and alcohols while reducing the carbon footprint, thereby addressing the challenge of utilizing industrial gases and capturing carbon that would otherwise be emitted.
Implementation Method 1
fermenting the gaseous substrate Gx with the acetogenic bacteria Mx in a fermentation broth comprising the acetogenic bacteria Mx and the one or more sodium ion sources to produce one or more organic acids
Implementation Method 2
The acetogenic bacteria Mx includes a sodium translocating ATPase that is active during fermentation in the bioreactor Bx
Implementation Method 3
fermenting the gaseous substrate Gi in the bioreactor Bi with the acetogenic bacteria Mi in a fermentation broth comprising the acetogenic bacteria Mi to produce a liquid stream comprising one or more alcohols
Implementation Method 4
The acetogenic bacteria Mi includes a proton translocating ATPase that is active during fermentation in the bioreactor Bi
Implementation Method 5
capturing carbon that would otherwise be emitted
Data Source
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AI summary
A process is provided for bioconversion of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. More specifically, the process includes fermenting carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide containing substrate with acetogenic bacteria. The process provides for high levels of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide conversions and utilization of hydrogen.