Methane Production via Phosphorus-Rate Controlled Microbial States
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing methane from carbon dioxide using methanogenic microorganisms are inefficient due to high biomass production rates, which waste carbon dioxide and increase costs, and lack effective control over educt usage for optimal productivity.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the controlled ratio of phosphorous compound feed rate to biomass production rate (R(FphosPhorous/rx) is used to switch between gas-limited and liquid-limited physiological states, optimizing methane production by decoupling biomass and product formation, and maintaining high specific productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If methanogenic microorganisms are used to convert carbon dioxide and hydrogen into methane, then biological methanation can occur at moderate temperatures with high selectivity, but high biomass production rates cause unnecessary consumption of carbon dioxide and reduce process efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physiological state parameter of the microorganisms by controlling the phosphorous compound feed rate relative to the biomass production rate. By maintaining the ratio R(FphosPhorous/rx) between 0.001 and 0.5 molphosPhorous·molcarbon-1, the system switches the microorganisms from a gas-limited state (where CO2 consumption is high for biomass production) to a liquid-limited state (where CO2 is efficiently converted to methane), thereby resolving the contradiction between methane production rate and carbon dioxide utilization efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of the phosphorous compound feed rate based on the actual biomass production rate. The system continuously monitors and adjusts the feed rate to maintain the optimal ratio R(FphosPhorous/rx), allowing the physiological state of the microorganisms to be dynamically switched between gas-limited and liquid-limited states. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the balance between biomass production and methane production, resolving the contradiction adaptively
2Quantity of substance
If the feed rate of phosphorous containing compound is increased to support high biomass production, then microorganism growth is enhanced, but carbon dioxide is wasted for biomass production rather than methane production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial limitation of phosphorous compound feed rather than complete limitation. By controlling the feed rate to achieve a ratio R(FphosPhorous/rx) between 0.001 and 0.5 molphosPhorous·molcarbon-1, the system provides just enough phosphorous to maintain catalytic activity and basic biomass needs, but limits excessive biomass production. This partial action approach ensures sufficient biomass for catalysis while maximizing methane production from carbon dioxide, resolving the contradiction between biomass quantity and methane productivity
3Productivity
If the microorganisms are maintained in a gas-limited physiological state for high methane production, then carbon dioxide utilization is maximized, but biomass production becomes uncontrolled and increases costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the biomass production rate (rx) and adjusting the phosphorous compound feed rate (FphosPhorous) accordingly. The control system calculates the ratio R(FphosPhorous/rx) and adjusts the feed rate to maintain it within the optimal range of 0.001 to 0.5 molphosPhorous·molcarbon-1. This feedback mechanism ensures that biomass production remains controlled while maintaining high specific methane production rates, resolving the contradiction between specific productivity and biomass quantity
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 approach enhances methane production efficiency by minimizing biomass production, maximizing carbon dioxide utilization, and reducing resource waste, thereby achieving higher volumetric productivity and economic feasibility.
Implementation Method 1
The biological conversion of CO and C02 and H2 into methane by methanogenic microorganisms, e.g. by methanogenic archaea, is considered to be a much better alternative. The biological pathway is also known as methanogenesis or biological methanation.
Implementation Method 2
applying a feed rate of a phosphorous containing compound into the reaction vessel (FphosPhorous) so that the ratio of the feed rate of the phosphorous containing compound into the reaction vessel to the biomass production rate determined in step a) (R(Fphosphorous/rx)) is in the range of 0.001 to 0.5 molphosPhorous · molcarbon-1
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method for producing a carbon containing product from a gaseous carbon containing educt using microorganisms in a reaction vessel comprising determining the biomass production rate of the microorganisms inside the reaction vessel, applying a feed rate of a phosphorous containing compound into the reaction vessel so that the ratio of the feed rate of the phosphorous containing compound into the reaction vessel to the biomass production rate is in the range of 0.001 to 0.5 molphosphorous · molcarbon -1. Further provided is a system suitable for said method. Also provided is a method for producing a carbon containing product from a gaseous carbon containing educt using microbial biomass comprising microorganisms in a reaction vessel comprising applying a feed rate of an essential compound into the reaction vessel so that the ratio of the feed rate of the essential compound into the reaction vessel to the biomass production rate is in a range of 20 times below to 50 times above the molar ratio of the essential compound of the microorganisms to the carbon content of the microorganisms.