Biogas upgrading with hydrogenotrophic methanogenic biofilms

Karen Maegaard, Emilio Garcia-Robledo, Michael V.W. Kofoed, Laura M. Agneessens, Nadieh de Jonge, Jeppe L. Nielsen, Lars D.M. Ottosen, Lars Peter Nielsen, Niels Peter Revsbech*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

34 Citations (Scopus)
78 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Hydrogen produced from periodic excess of electrical energy may be added to biogas reactors where it is converted to CH 4 that can be utilized in the existing energy grid. The major challenge with this technology is gas-to-liquid mass transfer limitation. The microbial conversions in reactors designed for hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis were studied with microsensors for H 2 , pH, and CO 2 . The H 2 consumption potential was dependent on the CO 2 concentration, but could partially recover after CO 2 depletion. Reactors with 3-dimensional biofilm carrier material and a large gas headspace allowed for a methanogenic biofilm in direct contact with the gas phase. A high density of Methanoculleus sp. in the biofilm mediated a high rate of CH 4 production, and it was calculated that a reactor filled with 75% carrier material could mediate a biogas upgrading from 50 to 95% CH 4 within 24 h when an equivalent amount of H 2 was added.

Original languageEnglish
Article number121422
JournalBioresource Technology
Volume287
ISSN0960-8524
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2019

Keywords

  • Biofilm
  • CO limitation
  • Mass transfer
  • Methane
  • Methanogenesis
  • Microsensor

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Biogas upgrading with hydrogenotrophic methanogenic biofilms'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this