Biological upgrading of coal-derived synthesis gas: Final report
The technical feasibility of the biological conversion of coal synthesis gas to methane has been demonstrated in the University of Arkansas laboratories. Cultures of microorganisms have been developed which achieve total conversion in the water gas shift and methanation reactions in either mixed or pure cultures. These cultures carry out these conversions at ordinary temperatures and pressures, without sulfur toxicity. Several microorganisms have been identified as having commercial potential for producing methane. These include a mixed culture of unidentified bacteria; P. productus which produces acetate, a methane precursor; and Methanothrix sp., which produces methane from acetate. These cultures have been used in mixed reactors and immobilized cell reactors to achieve total CO and H/sub 2/ conversion in a retention time of less than two hours, quite good for a biological reactor. Preliminary economic projections indicate that a biological methanation plant with a size of 5 x 10/sup 10/ Btu/day can be economically attractive. 42 refs., 26 figs., 86 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Arkansas Univ., Fayetteville (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC21-84MC21011
- OSTI ID:
- 5638881
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/MC/21011-2506; ON: DE88001014
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
BIOCONVERSION
ECONOMICS
MICROORGANISMS
BIOLOGICAL ADAPTATION
GROWTH
NUTRIENTS
SYNTHESIS GAS
ACETATES
BIOREACTORS
CELL CULTURES
COAL GASIFICATION
IMMOBILIZED CELLS
METABOLISM
METHANATION
METHANE
PRESSURE EFFECTS
SHIFT PROCESSES
ALKANES
CARBOXYLIC ACID SALTS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
FLUIDS
GASES
GASIFICATION
HYDROCARBONS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
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Lignite
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550700 - Microbiology