Nutrient Composition for Biogenic Methane Production

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Solution Overview

Problem

Biogenic methane production from carbonaceous materials is slow and economically uneconomic due to macronutrient limitations in coal seams, with existing methods not fully optimizing microbial activity for enhanced methane yield.

Innovation Solution

A nutrient composition with a phosphorus to nitrogen molar ratio greater than 1.5 and nitrogen concentration between 0.1 mM and 1.7 mM is used to stimulate methanogenic microbial populations, enhancing methane production by optimizing microbial activity and nutrient availability in carbonaceous materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If nitrogen concentration is increased to stimulate microbial activity, then methane production rate improves, but production duration becomes uneconomic after 5-7 years

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemethane production rateVSAvoidproduction duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the nutrient composition parameters by using a low nitrogen concentration (0.1-1.7 mM) combined with high phosphorus concentration to achieve a P/N molar ratio greater than 1.5. This parameter change stimulates methanogenic microbial activity and extends production duration beyond the conventional 5-7 year limit while maintaining economic viability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts nutrient ratios over time by maintaining a sustained P/N ratio greater than 1.5, allowing the microbial population to adapt and remain productive over extended periods. This dynamic approach prevents the depletion that occurs with conventional nitrogen-based stimulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If conventional nutrient supplementation is used to enhance microbial growth, then methane production increases, but energy consumption increases due to energy intensive nitrogen sources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemethane productionVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the nutrient composition by using a low nitrogen concentration (0.1-1.7 mM) combined with high phosphorus concentration, achieving a P/N molar ratio greater than 1.5. This reduces dependence on energy-intensive nitrogen sources like ammonia while maintaining or enhancing methane production through optimized microbial metabolism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive, energy-intensive nitrogen-based nutrient sources with a more economical phosphorus-based composition. The low nitrogen concentration reduces material and energy costs while the high phosphorus content provides sustained nutritional support for methanogens

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If indiscriminate microbial population stimulation is applied, then microbial activity increases, but selectivity of methane-producing populations decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobial activityVSAvoidselectivity of methanogens

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a specific nutrient environment with P/N ratio greater than 1.5 that is selectively favorable to methanogenic archaea. This localized chemical condition promotes the growth and activity of methane-producing microbes while limiting other microbial populations, achieving both high activity and selectivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 nutrient composition achieves a biomodal peak in methane production by balancing nitrogen and phosphorus levels, extending the economic life of methane wells and increasing methane yield through sustained microbial activity.

Implementation Method 1

biogenic methane production from a carbonaceous material using a nutrient composition with low nitrogen/high phosphorus concentrations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiogenic methane production: Anaerobic Digestion

Implementation Method 2

These precursors are then converted to methane via methanogenic archaea

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMethanogenesis: Anaerobic Digestion

Data Source

PatentUS9796908B2Process for enhancing biogenic methane production from a carbonaceous material using a nutrient composition with low nitrogen/high phosphorus concentrations

Publication Date: 2017.10.24 COMMONWEALTH SCI & IND RES ORG

AI summary

A nutrient composition for enhancing biogenic methane production from a carbonaceous material is described. The nutrient composition comprises a source of phosphorus (P) and a source of nitrogen (N), wherein the molar ratio of phosphorus to nitrogen (P/N) is greater than 1.5, and the nitrogen concentration is at least 0.1 m M and less than 1.7 m M. A process for enhancing biogenic methane production from a carbonaceous material is also described. The process involves contacting the nutrient composition of the invention with the carbonaceous material for a period of time to biogenically produce methane and subsequently collecting methane from the carbonaceous material. The process may further comprise contacting the carbonaceous material with a second nutrient composition, wherein the second nutrient composition has a P/N molar ratio greater than the P/N molar ratio of the former nutrient composition.