Biomass Production via Sulfate Reducing Microorganisms and Electron Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for converting energy-rich gases into biomass and microbial products are inefficient due to the poor solubility of gases in aqueous environments, requiring intensive gas mixing or high pressure, which increases operational and capital expenses.
Innovation Solution
A method involving sulfate reducing microorganisms that convert sulfur compounds to hydrogen sulfide, followed by sulfide oxidizing bacteria converting the hydrogen sulfide into biomass using energy-rich gases as electron donors, optimizing gas conversion capabilities while minimizing energy costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If intensive gas mixing is used to improve gas accessibility for microorganisms, then gas conversion efficiency is improved, but operational expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (e.g., surfactants, cosolvents, or carrier materials) that enhances gas solubility and mass transfer in the aqueous environment without requiring intensive mixing. This mediator facilitates the transfer of energy-rich gases to microorganisms, improving conversion efficiency while avoiding high energy input for mixing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies physical or chemical parameters of the system, such as pH, temperature, ionic strength, or gas partial pressure, to optimize gas solubility and microbial uptake. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves efficient gas conversion without relying on energy-intensive mixing operations.
2Productivity
If high pressure is applied to improve gas solubility and accessibility, then gas conversion efficiency is improved, but capital expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses intermediary substances that enhance gas solubility at atmospheric or near-atmospheric pressures, eliminating the need for high-pressure equipment. These intermediaries (surfactants, cosolvents, or porous carriers) increase the effective concentration of dissolved gas, achieving high conversion efficiency without capital-intensive pressure systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes such as temperature modulation, pH adjustment, or ionic strength optimization to maximize gas solubility under mild pressure conditions. This approach achieves efficient gas utilization without requiring expensive high-pressure reactors or compression equipment.
3Device complexity
If direct electron transfer from energy-rich gases to electron acceptors is used, then process simplicity is maintained, but gas accessibility and conversion efficiency are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary compounds or carrier substances that facilitate electron transfer from energy-rich gases to electron acceptors. These intermediaries (such as organic substrates, electron shuttles, or mediator molecules) enable indirect electron transfer pathways that are more efficient than direct transfer, while maintaining relatively simple process architecture.
4Productivity
If sulfate reducing microorganisms are used to convert sulfur compounds to hydrogen sulfide, then biomass production is enhanced, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated system where sulfate-reducing microorganisms perform both sulfur compound reduction and biomass production simultaneously. The process merges electron transfer, sulfur metabolism, and cell growth into one coupled reaction system, enhancing biomass output while avoiding the need for separate process units or complex multi-step procedures.
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 approach enhances the conversion of energy-rich gases into biomass and derivatives, reducing operational expenses and improving the efficiency of biomass production, making it economically viable for industrial applications.
Implementation Method 1
The possibility to recover resources such as biohydrogen, hydrocarbons, polyhydroxyalkanoates, magnetite and metal sulfides via this reduction process have been described
Implementation Method 2
There are further publications about using sulfide oxidizing bacteria to produce sulfur (Jansen et al. 2001), sulfate, and even microbial protein (Sublette 1987)
Implementation Method 3
such energy rich gases can serve as electron donors and can give rise to the generation of added value microbial biomass resp. microbial products, by means of biochemical conversions in which these electrons are transferred to electron acceptor compounds
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The current invention provides for a method for producing biomass or derivatives thereof, comprising converting a sulfur compound to hydrogen sulfide by sulfate reducing microorganisms and subsequently converting said hydrogen sulfide into biomass by means of sulfide oxidizing bacteria (SOB), wherein said conversions are mediated by electron transfer of one or more energy rich gases. The current invention also provides a bioreactor system for producing biomass or derivatives thereof.