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Biological methanation of CO2 in a novel biofilm plug-flow reactor: A high rate and low parasitic energy process

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  • Savvas, Savvas
  • Donnelly, Joanne
  • Patterson, Tim
  • Chong, Zyh S.
  • Esteves, Sandra R.

Abstract

The performance of a novel biofilm plug flow reactor containing a mixed anaerobic microbial culture was investigated for the conversion of CO2/H2 to CH4. Unlike conventional gas-liquid contactors that depend on agitation, gas diffusion was decoupled from power consumption for mixing by increasing the gas phase inside the reaction space whilst increasing the gas residence time. The mixed mesophilic culture exhibited good biofilm formation and metabolic activity. Within 82days of operation, 99% and 90% CH4 conversion efficiencies were achieved at total gas throughputs of 100 and 150v/v/d, respectively. At a gas input rate of 230v/v/d, methane evolution rates reached 40v/v/d, which are the highest to date achieved by fixed film biomethanation systems. Significant gas transfer related parasitic energy savings can be achieved when using the novel plug flow design as compared to a CSTR. The results and modelling parameters of the study can aid the development of high rate, low parasitic energy biological methanation technologies for biogas upgrading and renewable power conversion and storage systems. The study has also established a reactor system which has the potential of accelerating biotechnology developments and deployment of other novel C1 gas routes to low carbon products.

Suggested Citation

  • Savvas, Savvas & Donnelly, Joanne & Patterson, Tim & Chong, Zyh S. & Esteves, Sandra R., 2017. "Biological methanation of CO2 in a novel biofilm plug-flow reactor: A high rate and low parasitic energy process," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 202(C), pages 238-247.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:202:y:2017:i:c:p:238-247
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.05.134
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    Cited by:

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    5. Jensen, M.B. & Ottosen, L.D.M. & Kofoed, M.V.W., 2021. "H2 gas-liquid mass transfer: A key element in biological Power-to-Gas methanation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    6. Burkhardt, Marko & Jordan, Isabel & Heinrich, Sabrina & Behrens, Johannes & Ziesche, André & Busch, Günter, 2019. "Long term and demand-oriented biocatalytic synthesis of highly concentrated methane in a trickle bed reactor," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C), pages 818-826.
    7. Andreides, Dominik & Stransky, Dominik & Bartackova, Jana & Pokorna, Dana & Zabranska, Jana, 2022. "Syngas biomethanation in countercurrent flow trickle-bed reactor operated under different temperature conditions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 199(C), pages 1329-1335.
    8. Inkeri, Eero & Tynjälä, Tero & Laari, Arto & Hyppänen, Timo, 2018. "Dynamic one-dimensional model for biological methanation in a stirred tank reactor," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 209(C), pages 95-107.
    9. Susanne Theuerl & Christiane Herrmann & Monika Heiermann & Philipp Grundmann & Niels Landwehr & Ulrich Kreidenweis & Annette Prochnow, 2019. "The Future Agricultural Biogas Plant in Germany: A Vision," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-32, January.
    10. Derick Lima & Gregory Appleby & Li Li, 2023. "A Scoping Review of Options for Increasing Biogas Production from Sewage Sludge: Challenges and Opportunities for Enhancing Energy Self-Sufficiency in Wastewater Treatment Plants," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-34, March.
    11. Martin Thema & Tobias Weidlich & Manuel Hörl & Annett Bellack & Friedemann Mörs & Florian Hackl & Matthias Kohlmayer & Jasmin Gleich & Carsten Stabenau & Thomas Trabold & Michael Neubert & Felix Ortlo, 2019. "Biological CO 2 -Methanation: An Approach to Standardization," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-32, May.
    12. Raquel Iglesias & Raúl Muñoz & María Polanco & Israel Díaz & Ana Susmozas & Antonio D. Moreno & María Guirado & Nely Carreras & Mercedes Ballesteros, 2021. "Biogas from Anaerobic Digestion as an Energy Vector: Current Upgrading Development," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-30, May.
    13. Díaz, Israel & Fdz-Polanco, Fernando & Mutsvene, Boldwin & Fdz-Polanco, María, 2020. "Effect of operating pressure on direct biomethane production from carbon dioxide and exogenous hydrogen in the anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 280(C).
    14. Ruggero Bellini & Ilaria Bassani & Arianna Vizzarro & Annalisa Abdel Azim & Nicolò Santi Vasile & Candido Fabrizio Pirri & Francesca Verga & Barbara Menin, 2022. "Biological Aspects, Advancements and Techno-Economical Evaluation of Biological Methanation for the Recycling and Valorization of CO 2," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-34, June.

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