Performance of trickle-bed bioreactors for converting synthesis gas to methane.
Carbon monoxide, H2, and CO2 in synthesis gas can be converted to CH4 by employing a triculture of Rhodospirillum rubrum, Methanosarcina barkeri, and Methanobacterium formicicum. Trickle-bed reactors have been found to be effective for this conversion because of their high mass-transfer coefficients. This paper compares results obtained for the conversion of synthesis gas to CH4 in 5-cm- and 16.5-cm-diameter trickle-bed reactors. Mass-transfer and scale-up parameters are defined, and light requirements for R. rubrum are considered in bioreactor design.
University of Arkansas, Department of Chemical Engineering, Fayetteville 72701.
D E
DE
Kimmel
K T
KT
Klasson
E C
EC
Clausen
J L
JL
Gaddy
D001709:Biotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000378:metabolism; D019605:Euryarchaeota / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D005285:Fermentation; D005740:Gases; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D008697:Methane / Q000378:metabolism*; D012247:Rhodospirillum rubrum / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*
D005740:Gases; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D006859:Hydrogen; D008697:Methane