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Biomethanation: Anaerobic fermentation of CO 2 , H 2 and CO to methane
Author(s) -
Wise D. L.,
Cooney C. L.,
Augenstein D. C.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/bit.260200804
Subject(s) - methane , fermentation , chemistry , anaerobic exercise , biogas , carbon dioxide , hydrogen production , environmental chemistry , pulp and paper industry , food science , hydrogen , biology , organic chemistry , ecology , physiology , engineering
Studies to examine the microbial fermentation of coal gasification products (CO 2 , H 2 and CO) to methane have been done with a mixed culture of anaerobic bacteria selected from an anaerobic sewage digestor. The specific rate of methane production at 37°C reached 25 mmol/g cell hr. The stoichiometry for methane production was 4 mmol H 2 /mol CO 2 . Cell recycle was used to increase the cell concentration from 2.5 to 8.3 g/liter; the volumetric rate of methane production ran from 1.3 to 4 liter/liter hr. The biogasification was also examined at elevated pressure (450 psi) and temperature to facilitate interfacing with a coal gasifier. At 60°C, the specific rate of methane production reached 50 mmol/g cell hr. Carbon monoxide utilization by the mixed culture of anaerobes and by a Rhodopseudomonas species was examined. Both cultures are able to carry out the shift conversion of CO and water to CO 2 and hydrogen.