Microbial Hydrogen Production from Coal and Oil Shale

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing hydrogen are costly and inefficient, particularly due to high energy requirements and limited availability of suitable substrates, with existing technologies failing to harness vast hydrocarbon resources like coal, carbonaceous shales, and oil for microbial hydrogen production, which could provide a significant alternative energy source.

Innovation Solution

The method involves managing the metabolism of microorganisms in hydrocarbon-rich environments by introducing nutrients, altering environmental parameters, and inhibiting hydrogen-consuming processes to enhance microbial hydrogen production, either in-situ or ex-situ, using naturally occurring or introduced microorganisms to stimulate hydrogen generation from coal, bitumen, oil shale, carbonaceous shale, tar sands, and peat.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If steam reformulation of methane is used to generate hydrogen, then hydrogen production is achieved, but the Btu value of hydrogen produced is far less than the Btu value of fuel needed, making it expensive and endergonic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen productionVSAvoidenergy input vs output

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the fundamental parameters of the reaction system by using microbial consortia instead of thermal steam reformulation, operating at ambient temperature and pressure rather than high temperature, thereby achieving energy-positive hydrogen production from hydrocarbon substrates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical/thermal system of steam reformulation with a biological system using microorganisms, substituting high-temperature thermal processes with biochemical pathways that produce hydrogen with higher Btu value than the substrate energy input

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If photosynthetic microorganisms are used for phototrophic hydrogen generation, then hydrogen production is achieved, but light penetration is limited in reactors with substrate or underground deposits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen productionVSAvoidlight penetration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the approach by using anaerobic heterotrophic microorganisms that consume organic substrates in the dark to produce hydrogen, rather than using photosynthetic organisms that require light, thereby enabling hydrogen production in underground or opaque substrate environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational parameters from phototrophic (light-dependent) to anaerobic heterotrophic (dark, organic substrate-dependent), allowing hydrogen production in environments where light cannot penetrate, such as underground coal deposits or opaque bioreactors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If microbial hydrogen production from agricultural and municipal wastes is used, then hydrogen is produced, but the limited availability and inconsistent composition preclude significant alternative energy source

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen productionVSAvoidsubstrate availability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses universal hydrocarbon substrates (coal, oil, natural gas) that are abundant and consistent in composition, allowing the same microbial consortia to produce hydrogen from multiple substrate types, thereby achieving significant alternative energy production

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the substrate parameters from limited agricultural wastes to abundant hydrocarbon resources, increasing the quantity and consistency of available substrate for hydrogen production

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 significantly increases hydrogen production rates, potentially by several folds, making it economically viable to utilize abandoned oil fields and biogenic natural gas projects, providing a clean energy source while reducing capital expenditures and environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

hydrogen gas produced by fermentation of a hydrocarbon substrate by a consortium of microorganisms

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFermentation: Fermentation

Implementation Method 2

the hydrogen gas is recovered from the fermentation broth by a fixed bed adsorber containing a hydrophobic, microporous, solid adsorbent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS8092559B2Generation of hydrogen from hydrocarbon bearing materials

Publication Date: 2012.01.10 TRANSWORLD TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

Disclosed are strategies for the economical microbial generation of hydrogen, useful as an alternative energy source, from hydrocarbon-rich deposits such as coal, oil and/or gas formations, oil shale, bitumen, tar sands, carbonaceous shale, peat deposits and sediments rich in organic matter through the management of the metabolism of microbial consortia.