Bioconversion: Methane

Sustainable society
reduction of dependency on fossil fuels lowering of the amount of pollution than is generated

Wastewater Treatment
a paradigm shift; disposing of waste using waste Wastewater are potential commodities from which bioenergy and biochemicals may be produced. bio-processing strategies
methanogenic anaerobic digestion biological hydrogen production microbial fuel cells fermentation for production of valuable products

Integrated bio-reactor and bio-gas generator

CO2

Fertilizer

N, P, H2O
Hydrogen Fertilizers Animal feeds Biopolymers Methane Bio-fuels Bio-prods Carbonates
Innoventures Canada

Natural Health Prods Chemicals

Alternative Energy Sources Using Microorganisms

Biomass
Bioconversion

Methane or ethyl alcohol

Figure 28.15

Main stages of anaerobic (methane) fermentation

Bioconversion of exhaust gases to methane

Conversion up to 60%
Methanogenesis: methanobacteria, clostridia (anaerobics) Bioreactor: immobilized cells, replacement 6-12 months Requirments: Mass transfer, non-corrosive reactor, 40-55

Biological chemical production

major limitation of bio-energy tech.
the relative low cost of the current non-renewable energy source
government subsidies, direct local need to save on energy costs

It cannot entirely satisfy the energy demand of our society.

Therefore, biological chemical production may be more feasible than bio-energy production.
conversion to valuable products

Strategies to enhance bioconversion

improvement of the amount of product formed per reactor volume, per time period process modification (culture immobilization), coupling two separate bioreactors separation and purification
Lab. for Water Environmental System

the manufacturing cost more selective, more efficient, and shorter separation routes 2007
Winter School For MFCs 6

Biological methane production

Reaction

Methanogenic anaerobic digestion

high organic removal rates low energy-input requirement energy production (i.e. methane) low sludge production

Methane formation from glucose; C6H12O6 CH4 + CO2

UASB

Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket efficiently retains the complex microbial consortium without the need for immobilization on a carrier material by formation of biological granules with good settling characteristics. Approximately 60% of the thousands of anaerobic full-scale treatment facilities worldwide are now based on the UASB design concept.
2007 Winter School For MFCs
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Lab. for Water Environmental System

Biological methane production

AMBR
Anaerobic Migrating Blanket Reactor The organic removal rates are higher than those in UASB.

ASBR
Anaerobic Sequencing Batch Reactor operating in a four-step cycle
1) wastewater is fed into the reactor with settled biomass. 2) wastewater and biomass are mixed intermittently. 3) biomass is settled. 4) effluent is withdrawn from the reactor.

The methane has been

used as a fuel source for on-site heating used as a fuel source for electricity production. converted to methanol for use in production of biodiesel.
Lab. for Water Environmental System

2007 Winter School For MFCs

Biological methane production

Lab. for Water Environmental System

2007 Winter School For MFCs

Biological methane production

UASB

source: http://www.uasb.org/

Lab. for Water Environmental System

2007 Winter School For MFCs

Anaerobic sludge granules from a UASB reactor treating effluent from a recycle paper mill (Roermond, The Netherlands). 10

Biological methane production

source: Angenent et al., Wat. Res. 35(7) pp.1739-1747, 2001

Lab. for Water Environmental System

2007 Winter School For MFCs

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Biogas plants of German Agrogas AG company in Denmark