Oxyhydrogen Gas Fermentation with Partial Pressure Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bioprocesses using oxyhydrogen bacteria face challenges with gas management, including explosion hazards, poor gas solubility, and fluctuations in gas concentration, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to gas waste and pH imbalances.
Innovation Solution
A process and apparatus for controlling gas fermentation by continuously measuring and controlling the partial pressure of gases in a bioreactor, using PI controllers to adjust gas flow rates, and maintaining a pressurized environment to enhance solubility and balance gas concentrations, while removing excess gases like N2 and CH4.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If oxyhydrogen bacteria are used for CO2 fixation, then CO2 can be converted into biomass and chemicals, but the gas mixtures become explosive due to H2 and O2 fractions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an inert gas (nitrogen or carbon dioxide) into the gas mixture to displace the explosive H2-O2 combination and create a non-explosive atmosphere. The inert gas acts as a buffer that prevents the formation of explosive concentrations while still allowing the oxyhydrogen bacteria to access the necessary H2 and O2 for metabolism and CO2 fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the gas composition parameters by controlling the fractions of H2, O2, and inert gas to remain outside the explosive range. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system maintains conditions that are safe from explosion while still providing sufficient substrates for bacterial growth and CO2 conversion.
2Productivity
If H2 and O2 are provided for oxyhydrogen bacteria, then CO2 fixation can occur, but gas solubility is poor leading to inefficient dissolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pressure increase as a parameter change to enhance gas solubility in the liquid medium. By operating at elevated pressures, more H2 and O2 can be dissolved into the culture medium, improving the availability of these gases for bacterial metabolism and CO2 fixation while reducing gas loss to the atmosphere.
3Productivity
If gas flow rates are increased to maintain gas concentrations, then biomass yield improves, but gas waste and pH imbalances increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system that continuously monitors gas concentrations in the bioreactor and adjusts the gas flow rates accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that gases are supplied at optimal rates to maintain desired concentrations without excessive supply, thereby improving biomass yield while minimizing gas waste and preventing pH imbalances caused by over-supply.
4Reliability
If complex gas management is implemented to balance explosion prevention and optimal yield, then safety improves, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs oxyhydrogen bacteria that autonomously consume H2 and O2 and produce CO2 as part of their metabolic process. This self-service mechanism naturally regulates gas concentrations by having the bacteria themselves manage the gas balance, reducing the need for complex external gas management systems while maintaining safety and optimizing yield.
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 reduces gas loss, stabilizes gas concentrations, and improves biomass and product yield by optimizing gas input, thereby enhancing the efficiency and safety of the fermentation process.
Implementation Method 1
the partial pressure of each of the gases in a gaseous phase in a headspace above the medium is measured; and the volumetric flow rate of each of the introduced gases is continuously controlled such that the measured partial pressure of each of the gases in the bioreactor is controlled to a corresponding predetermined set partial pressure
Implementation Method 2
Solubilities of gases in water as per Henry's Law decrease in the order CO2 >O2 >H2
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to a process for controlling gas fermentation and to an apparatus for cultivation of microorganisms which is useful for carrying out said process.