Electrochemical Bioreactor Module for Carbon-Efficient Fermentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biological processes for producing compounds like ethanol and succinic acid face low carbon efficiency due to the need to sacrifice input carbonaceous material to generate reducing equivalents, resulting in reduced product yields and CO2 production.
Innovation Solution
An electrochemical bioreactor system that uses an electrochemical cell with an anode and cathode chamber separated by a membrane, allowing for the transfer of electrons from an external power source to biological systems, thereby eliminating the need for sacrificial carbon source oxidation, and utilizing electron transport mediators like neutral red to enhance electron transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If biological processes use sacrificial carbon source oxidation to generate reducing equivalents, then reducing equivalents are produced, but carbon efficiency decreases and CO2 production increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an electrochemical cell as an intermediary system between the power source and the biological reaction system. The cell provides electrons through an external circuit to reduce the carbon source directly, eliminating the need for sacrificial carbon oxidation. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by decoupling reducing equivalent generation from carbon consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the biological metabolic pathway (mechanical/biological system) that converts carbon to reducing equivalents with an electrochemical system. Instead of using enzymatic pathways that sacrifice carbon, electrons are supplied directly through an external power source, substituting the biological mechanism with an electrochemical one to achieve 100% carbon efficiency.
2Quantity of substance
If electrochemical cells are used to provide electrons directly to biological systems, then carbon efficiency increases to 100%, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrochemical cell is designed with multi-functionality: it serves as both the power delivery system and the reaction chamber for the biological system. The cell structure integrates multiple functions (electron supply, fluid handling, biological containment) into a single device, reducing overall system complexity despite the advanced technology employed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the electrochemical reaction chamber with the biological reaction system into a single integrated device. The anode and cathode chambers are combined with the bioreactor functionality, eliminating the need for separate electron supply equipment and reducing system complexity through consolidation.
3Productivity
If electron transport mediators are used to enhance electron transfer, then electron transfer efficiency increases, but device complexity and substance loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electron transport mediator is designed to be regenerated within the system. After transferring electrons from the cathode to the biological system, the mediator is regenerated and reused in subsequent cycles. This recovery approach minimizes substance loss while maintaining high electron transfer efficiency.
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 increases carbon efficiency to 100%, maximizing product formation while minimizing CO2 production, and can be applied to various fermentation processes including ethanol, n-butanol, and succinic acid production.
Implementation Method 1
The transfer of electrons from an electrode to a chemical species, that is a reduction reaction, occurs at the cathode
Implementation Method 2
electrochemical cells are defined as systems that utilize a combination of redox reactions either to produce useful electrical energy, or use electrical energy to drive a combination of useful redox reactions
Implementation Method 3
an anode and a cathode, the two being separated by at least one membrane that allows water molecules to pass through the membrane from one chamber to the other
Implementation Method 4
utilizing electron transport mediators like neutral red to enhance electron transfer efficiency
Implementation Method 5
a simple half-reaction at the anode, and that operates in a manner to avoid the use of salt-bridges for connectivity of the anode and cathode chambers
Data Source
AI summary
A device and process for using the device are provided for the production of commodity chemicals by biological methods which require the addition of reducing equivalents. The device allows operating conditions to be conveniently altered to achieve maximal electrochemical efficiencies for a given biologically mediated redox reaction, series of reactions, or fermentation process.