Fermentative Hydrocarbon Production Under Hyperbaric Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fermentative production of hydrocarbons faces challenges such as high operating costs, risk of combustion of fermentation off-gas, and inefficient oxygen utilization, which affects production efficiency and safety.
Innovation Solution
A process involving culturing microorganisms in a fermenter under hyperbaric pressure (1.5 to 15 bar) with controlled oxygen concentration in the inlet gas to enhance oxygen utilization, reduce flammability risk, and improve hydrocarbon yield, allowing for safer and more efficient production and recovery of hydrocarbons like isobutene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fermentation is performed with oxygen supply to enable microorganism growth and hydrocarbon production, then productivity is improved, but the risk of combustion of fermentation off-gas increases due to high oxygen concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the oxygen concentration in the fermentation off-gas to be below a specific threshold value (10 vol%). This quantitative parameter control resolves the contradiction by maintaining sufficient oxygen for microbial metabolism while staying below the combustion risk threshold, thus enabling both productivity and safety.
2Reliability
If oxygen concentration in fermentation off-gas is reduced to eliminate combustion risk, then safety is improved, but oxygen utilization efficiency and hydrocarbon yield decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the oxygen concentration in the fermentation off-gas and adjusting the aeration rate accordingly. This ensures that oxygen concentration remains below the combustion threshold while maintaining optimal oxygen supply for hydrocarbon production, thus resolving the contradiction between safety and productivity through dynamic adjustment.
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
The process reduces the risk of combustion, increases hydrocarbon yield, and facilitates safer handling and recovery by controlling oxygen concentration in the fermentation off-gas, thereby improving operational efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a microorganism producing the hydrocarbon is cultured in a liquid fermentation medium in a fermenter
Implementation Method 2
the total pressure of the inlet gas before introduction into the fermenter is about 1.5 bar to about 15 bar
Implementation Method 3
The increased pressure of the inlet gas before introduction into the fermenter of about 1.5 bar to about 15 bar is advantageous as it results in an increased transfer of oxygen comprised in the inlet gas into the liquid fermentation medium
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a process for the fermentative production of a hydrocarbon, wherein a microorganism producing the hydrocarbon is cultured in a liquid fermentation medium in a fermenter, wherein an inlet gas comprising oxygen is fed into the fermenter and the total pressure of the inlet gas before introduction into the fermenter is about 1.5 bar to about 15 bar (about 150 kPa to about 1500 kPa), wherein the hydrocarbon is obtained in a gaseous state in the fermentation off-gas, and wherein the concentration of oxygen in the fermentation off-gas is controlled to be below about 10 vol-%. The process is particularly cost effective, eliminates or reduces the risk of inflammation of the fermentation off-gas, and facilitates the isolation of the hydrocarbon from the fermentation off-gas.