Formate Moiety Sustains Microorganism Viability During Syngas Interruption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial-scale anaerobic fermentation processes for hydrogen and carbon monoxide face challenges in maintaining microorganism viability during syngas feed interruptions, requiring methods that are quick to implement, economically viable, and do not induce pH changes or operational disruptions, while also being effective for short and extended disruptions.
Innovation Solution
The use of soluble formate salt or formic acid as a formate moiety in the fermentation broth to sustain microorganism viability during syngas disruptions, which generates carbon dioxide without significant hydrogen production or acetate buildup, allowing for controlled addition and rapid dispersion, thus maintaining redox potential and pH conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If soluble formate salt or formic acid is added to sustain microorganism viability during syngas interruptions, then microorganism viability is maintained, but product alcohol is consumed and pH changes may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the concentration and addition rate of formate salt or formic acid to maintain microorganism viability while minimizing product alcohol consumption. The formate moiety is added at controlled levels to sustain redox potential without excessive alcohol consumption, and pH is monitored and adjusted to remain within optimal ranges for microorganism survival.
2Reliability
If soluble formate salt or formic acid is added to sustain microorganism viability, then redox potential is maintained, but pH changes may occur requiring alkalinity adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback control by continuously monitoring pH levels and alkalinity in the fermentation broth during formate addition. When pH drops due to formate acidification, alkalinity is adjusted to maintain pH within the optimal range. This closed-loop feedback system maintains redox potential while preventing excessive pH changes that would harm microorganisms.
3Speed
If rapid dispersion of formate moiety is achieved for quick implementation, then response time is reduced, but mixing energy requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the solubility and aqueous nature of formate salt to achieve rapid dispersion throughout the fermentation broth. The formate moiety dissolves quickly in the aqueous medium and distributes throughout the reactor, providing fast response to syngas interruptions. This hydraulic approach leverages the existing liquid circulation and mixing in the bioreactor to achieve rapid distribution without requiring additional high-energy mixing equipment.
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 effectively maintains microorganism viability during syngas interruptions, allowing for rapid resumption of alcohol production with minimal product alcohol consumption and reduced stress on microorganisms, even during extended disruptions, and facilitates cost-effective storage and reactivation of microorganisms.
Implementation Method 1
Anaerobic fermentations of hydrogen and carbon monoxide involve the contact of the substrate gas in an aqueous fermentation menstruum with microorganisms capable of generating alcohols
Implementation Method 2
maintaining redox potential and pH conditions
Data Source
AI summary
The methods are disclosed for sustaining a population of microorganisms in an aqueous fermentation broth used in a process to convert syngas to alcohol when the supply of syngas is impaired. The methods involve supplying at least one formate moiety at a rate and amount sufficient to maintain the population of microorganisms. The introduction of the formate moiety also results in the production of at least one metabolic compound other than ethanol and/or acetate by the microorganisms. The metabolic compound can comprise at least one energy storage compound which can be used to support the microorganisms during processing, storage and reactivation.