Hyperthermophilic Biogas Production via Segmented Fermentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional energy sources are costly and environmentally harmful, and alternative energy systems using biomass often face issues like contamination and land use conflicts, necessitating the development of efficient and sustainable methods for utilizing waste biomass to produce energy.
Innovation Solution
A process utilizing hyperthermophilic organisms to degrade biomass, producing hydrogen and a liquid fermentation broth comprising acetate, which is then introduced into a methane bioreactor to produce biogas, along with an energy transfer system that includes fuel cells, combustion units, and heat transfer systems to generate electricity or heat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional energy sources (oil, coal, nuclear) are used, then energy production is reliable, but environmental harm and cost increase dramatically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter to hyperthermophilic ranges (above 80°C) to enable unique microbial communities to degrade biomass efficiently, producing energy while avoiding conventional fossil fuel combustion and its environmental harms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/chemical combustion systems with a biological system using hyperthermophilic microorganisms to degrade biomass, converting organic matter into energy through microbial metabolism rather than combustion
2Object-affected harmful factors
If biomass systems are used, then alternative energy production is achieved, but contamination and land use conflicts occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the biomass degradation process into distinct functional stages: hydrolysis of complex carbohydrates, acidogenesis producing volatile fatty acids, and methanogenesis producing biogas, allowing optimized control at each stage to minimize contamination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses hyperthermophilic microorganisms as intermediary agents that facilitate biomass degradation under controlled conditions, transforming waste materials into energy while preventing direct contact between biomass and conventional processing systems that cause contamination
3Productivity
If hyperthermophilic organisms are used to degrade biomass, then energy production efficiency improves, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple microbial functions into a single integrated system where hydrolytic, acidogenic, and methanogenic processes occur simultaneously in one reactor, simplifying the overall process while maintaining high energy production efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hyperthermophilic microorganisms that perform multiple functions: degrading various biomass components (carbohydrates, proteins, lipids), producing multiple energy carriers (biogas, heat), and maintaining process stability under extreme temperature conditions
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 reduces carbon dioxide emissions, generates energy from waste biomass, and produces carbon credits, offering a sustainable and efficient alternative to traditional energy production while minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
fermenting the biomass in the presence of the population of at least one genus of a hyperthermophilic organism under conditions such that heat is produced
Implementation Method 2
fermenting the biomass in the presence of the population of at least one genus of a hyperthermophilic organism under conditions such that heat is produced
Implementation Method 3
Said liquid fermentation broth is then introduced into a methane bioreactor to produce biogas in a second fermentation process
Implementation Method 4
the energy transfer system is selected from the group consisting of a fuel cell, a combustion unit, a thermocouple, and a heat transfer system
Implementation Method 5
the energy transfer system is selected from the group consisting of a fuel cell, a combustion unit, a thermocouple, and a heat transfer system
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to the field of degradation with hyperthermophilic organisms, and in particular to the use of hyperthermophilic degradation to produce heat and energy rich components including hydrogen and ethanol from a biomass. In some embodiments, a biomass is fermented in the presence of hyperthermophilic organisms to produce heat. The heat is used to heat a liquid which is used directly in a heat pump or radiant heat or to produce electricity or drive a steam turbine. In some embodiments, acetate is utilized as a substrate to produce energy by methanogenesis.