Fermentation CO2 Capture via Electrical Potential

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current microbial fermentation processes for producing ethanol from carbon monoxide are inefficient due to co-production of acetate, which can lead to waste disposal issues and greenhouse gas emissions, and require significant energy for carbon capture, resulting in suboptimal ethanol production.

Innovation Solution

Applying an electrical potential across a fermentation broth containing microorganisms and an aqueous nutrient medium to convert carbon dioxide into products via the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway, reducing the need for carbon monoxide oxidation and increasing microbial growth rates, while using hydrogen to produce reducing equivalents, thereby enhancing carbon capture and ethanol production efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional yeast-based fermentation processes are used to produce ethanol from crop-derived carbohydrates, then ethanol production is achieved, but the cost is influenced by food value and economic sustainability is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveethanol productionVSAvoideconomic sustainability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the carbon source parameter from crop-derived carbohydrates to CO gas, and changes the microorganism parameter from traditional yeast to carboxydotrophic microorganisms capable of utilizing CO through the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway. This fundamental parameter change enables production from non-food sources, resolving the contradiction between productivity and economic sustainability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If carboxydotrophic fermentation is used to convert CO into ethanol, then lower cost carbon resources are utilized, but acetate co-production reduces efficiency and creates waste disposal problems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction costVSAvoidethanol production efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the redox potential parameter by applying an external electrical potential (e.g., -0.2 to -0.6 volts) to the fermentation system. This parameter change shifts the metabolic balance to favor ethanol production over acetate co-production, improving ethanol production efficiency while maintaining the use of low-cost CO resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If CO is used as the sole carbon source for microbial fermentation, then carbon resources are utilized, but significant energy is required for carbon capture and CO2 byproduct is generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarbon utilizationVSAvoidenergy for carbon capture

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the harmful CO2 byproduct into a useful resource by having carboxydotrophic microorganisms utilize CO2 as a carbon source through the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway. This transforms the waste disposal problem into a beneficial carbon capture mechanism, reducing net CO2 emissions while producing ethanol.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Productivity

If electrical potential is applied across fermentation broth to improve carbon capture, then carbon dioxide production is reduced, but additional energy input is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarbon capture efficiencyVSAvoidenergy for electrical potential

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the electrical energy input into a beneficial effect by using the applied electrical potential to drive electrons into CO2 molecules, facilitating their conversion to carbon monoxide through the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway. This transforms energy input into improved carbon capture efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions, rather than merely consuming energy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 method increases microbial growth rates by up to 20% and improves carbon capture efficiency, reducing the amount of carbon dioxide produced as a byproduct, while maintaining similar metabolite production, thus addressing inefficiencies in existing fermentation processes.

Implementation Method 1

providing electrons to a carboxydotrophic fermentation converts carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide which is then converted to ethanol or other products

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectron transfer: Redox Reactions

Implementation Method 2

the fermentation converts CO2 into products via the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFermentation: Fermentation

Data Source

PatentEP3070170B1Fermentation of co2 by using an electrical potential

Publication Date: 2018.08.01 LANZATECH NEW ZEALAND LTD

Figure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to methods for improving the efficiency of carbon capture in microbial fermentation of a gaseous substrate comprising CO and/or H2. In certain aspects the invention relates to improving the efficiency of carbon capture in the microbial fermentation of gaseous substrate comprising CO and/or H2 to produce alcohol(s) and/or acid(s). In particular the invention relates to methods for improving the efficiency of carbon capture in carboxydotrophic fermentation.