Oxyhydrogen Microorganisms for Compact Long-Chain Carbon Conversion

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing carbon capture and conversion technologies using chemoautotrophic microorganisms face limitations in efficiency, economic feasibility, and practicality, particularly in producing longer chain organic compounds, which are essential for higher energy density and compatibility with transportation infrastructure.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid biological and chemical process utilizing oxyhydrogen microorganisms for carbon capture and fixation, employing controlled oxygen levels and electron donors/acceptors to convert inorganic carbon and C1 sources into longer chain organic compounds, such as C5 or longer carbon molecules, using bioreactors and electrolysis devices to optimize conditions for efficient carbon fixation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If photosynthetic microorganisms are used for carbon fixation, then carbon conversion capability is achieved, but land use efficiency is low and vulnerability to environmental damage is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarbon conversion capabilityVSAvoidland use efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces photosynthetic microorganisms with chemoautotrophic microorganisms that perform chemosynthesis instead of photosynthesis. This substitution eliminates the need for light and large surface areas, allowing carbon fixation to occur in compact bioreactors with vertical construction, thereby dramatically improving land use efficiency while maintaining carbon conversion capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental operational parameters of carbon fixation by transitioning from light-dependent photosynthesis to chemical energy-driven chemosynthesis. This parameter change allows the system to operate independently of sunlight, enabling controlled indoor or underground bioreactor systems that require minimal land area while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If photosynthetic microorganisms are used for carbon fixation, then carbon conversion capability is achieved, but vulnerability to contamination and weather damage is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarbon conversion capabilityVSAvoidvulnerability to contamination and weather damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces photosynthetic microorganisms with chemoautotrophic microorganisms that perform chemosynthesis instead of photosynthesis. This substitution eliminates the need for light and large surface areas, allowing carbon fixation to occur in compact bioreactors with vertical construction, thereby dramatically improving land use efficiency while maintaining carbon conversion capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental operational parameters of carbon fixation by transitioning from light-dependent photosynthesis to chemical energy-driven chemosynthesis. This parameter change allows the system to operate independently of sunlight, enabling controlled indoor or underground bioreactor systems that require minimal land area while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Area of stationary object

If chemoautotrophic microorganisms are used for non-photosynthetic carbon fixation, then land efficiency and controlled environment operation are improved, but production of longer chain organic compounds is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveland efficiencyVSAvoidproduction of longer chain organic compounds

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary chemical processing step that takes the organic compounds produced by chemoautotrophic microorganisms and further processes them through catalytic converters or chemical reactors. This intermediary step enables the production of longer chain organic compounds and liquid hydrocarbon fuels that are compatible with existing transportation infrastructure, while the microorganisms continue to operate efficiently in compact bioreactors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Area of stationary object

If hybrid chemical/biological processes are used for CO2 conversion, then land efficiency is improved, but complexity of the process system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveland efficiencyVSAvoidcomplexity of the process system

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the carbon conversion process into distinct functional modules: a biological module with chemoautotrophic microorganisms for carbon fixation, and a chemical module for further processing of organic compounds. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently and enables modular scaling, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high land efficiency through vertical bioreactor construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 process effectively produces high-value organic compounds like liquid hydrocarbon fuels, reducing atmospheric CO2 and waste carbon disposal, with enhanced energy density and compatibility with existing transportation systems, while minimizing environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

converting the inorganic carbon compound and/or the organic compound containing only one carbon atom into the organic chemical product and/or a precursor thereof within the environment via at least one chemosynthetic carbon-fixing reaction utilizing the oxyhydrogen microorganisms

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemosynthesis:

Implementation Method 2

The chemosynthetic fixing reaction is at least partially driven by chemical and/or electrochemical energy provided by electron donors and electron acceptors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRedox reactions: Redox Reactions

Implementation Method 3

employing bioreactors and electrolysis devices to optimize conditions for efficient carbon fixation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrolysis: Electrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS20250250594A1USE OF OXYHYDROGEN MICROORGANISMS FOR NONPHOTOSYNTHETIC CARBON CAPTURE AND CONVERSION OF INORGANIC AND/OR Cl CARBON SOURCES INTO USEFUL ORGANIC COMPOUNDS

Publication Date: 2025.08.07 KIVERDI INC

AI summary

Compositions and methods for a hybrid biological and chemical process that captures and converts carbon dioxide and/or other forms of inorganic carbon and/or CI carbon sources including but not limited to carbon monoxide, methane, methanol, formate, or formic acid, and/or mixtures containing CI chemicals including but not limited to various syngas compositions, into organic chemicals including biofuels or other valuable biomass, chemical, industrial, or pharmaceutical products are provided. The present invention, in certain embodiments, fixes inorganic carbon or CI carbon sources into longer carbon chain organic chemicals by utilizing microorganisms capable of performing the oxyhydrogen reaction and the autotrophic fixation of CO2 in one or more steps of the process.