Electromethanogenic Reactor for Direct CO2 Methane Production

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for sustainable fuel production and carbon capture are inadequate, particularly in microbial fuel cells and microbial electrolysis cells, where hydrogen gas production is inefficient due to insufficient voltage and requires organic carbon sources.

Innovation Solution

An electromethanogenic reactor system is developed with an anode and cathode connected by a conductive conduit, using methanogenic microorganisms on the cathode to reduce carbon dioxide to methane gas with the assistance of an external power source, eliminating the need for hydrogen and organic carbon sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If microbial electrolysis cells are used for hydrogen gas production, then hydrogen gas can be produced from wastewater treatment, but the voltage produced by the anode is insufficient for hydrogen gas evolution at the cathode

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen gas production rateVSAvoidvoltage requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the voltage parameter by applying an additional voltage of >0.2V to the cathode, transforming the system from insufficient voltage for hydrogen evolution to adequate voltage for both hydrogen production and subsequent methanogenesis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces methanogenic microorganisms as intermediary organisms that consume the hydrogen gas produced at the cathode and convert it to methane, thereby removing the limitation of insufficient hydrogen production and enabling sustained energy recovery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If conventional methanogenic reactors are used, then methane can be produced from organic carbon sources, but the process requires hydrogen and organic carbon sources which reduces energy efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemethane production rateVSAvoidenergy input requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the requirement for organic carbon sources and hydrogen from the cathode chamber, achieving methane production through direct electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide using electrical energy alone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the biological degradation pathway (requiring organic carbon sources) with an electrochemical pathway using electrical energy to directly reduce carbon dioxide to methane, thereby improving energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of energy

If hydrogen gas is produced in microbial electrolysis cells, then energy recovery is achieved, but the process is complex and requires specific conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy recovery efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the hydrogen production step and methanogenesis step into a single integrated process where carbon dioxide is directly reduced to methane at the cathode, eliminating the need for separate hydrogen collection and storage systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs methanogenic microorganisms that automatically consume the hydrogen produced and convert it to methane, creating a self-regulating system that maintains optimal conditions without external intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 system achieves high energy efficiency in methane production, capturing carbon dioxide and producing methane at a lower energy input than hydrogen production, with the added benefit of using renewable energy sources and not requiring metal catalysts.

Implementation Method 1

The methanogenic microorganisms reduce the carbon dioxide to produce methane gas, even in the absence of hydrogen and/or organic carbon sources

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromethanogenesis: Electromethanogenesis

Implementation Method 2

the power source is active to enhance a potential between the anode and the cathode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical potential enhancement:

Implementation Method 3

electrons are transferred to the anode by exoelectrogenic microorganisms

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectron transfer:

Data Source

PatentUS8440438B2Electromethanogenic reactor and processes for methane production

Publication Date: 2013.05.14 THE PENN STATE RES FOUND INC

AI summary

Increasing competition for fossil fuels, and the need to avoid release carbon dioxide from combustion of these fuels requires development of new and sustainable approaches for energy production and carbon capture. Biological processes for producing methane gas and capturing carbon from carbon dioxide are provided according to embodiments of the present invention which include providing an electromethanogenic reactor having an anode, a cathode and a plurality of methanogenic microorganisms disposed on the cathode. Electrons and carbon dioxide are provided to the plurality of methanogenic microorganisms disposed on the cathode. The methanogenic microorganisms reduce the carbon dioxide to produce methane gas, even in the absence of hydrogen and/or organic carbon sources.