Biological conversion of synthesis gas. Final report, August 31, 1990--September 3, 1993

Technical Report · Wed Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1993

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10123654· OSTI ID:10123654

Basu, R; Klasson, K T; Johnson, E R; Takriff, M; Clausen, E C; Gaddy, J L

Based upon the results of this culture screening study, Rhodospirillum rubrum is recommended for biocatalysis of the water gas shift reaction and Chlorobium thiosulfatophilum is recommended for H{sub 2}S conversion to elemental sulfur. Both bacteria require tungsten light for growth and can be co-cultured together if H{sub 2}S conversion is not complete (required concentration of at least 1 ppM), thereby presenting H{sub 2} uptake by Chlorobium thiosulfatophilum. COS degradation may be accomplished by utilizing various CO-utilizing bacteria or by indirectly converting COS to elemental sulfur after the COS first undergoes reaction to H{sub 2} in water. The second alternative is probably preferred due to the low expected concentration of COS relative to H{sub 2}S. Mass transfer and kinetic studies were carried out for the Rhodospirillum rubrum and Chlorobium thiosulfatophilum bacterial systems. Rhodospirillum rubrum is a photosynthetic anaerobic bacterium which catalyzes the biological water gas shift reaction: CO + H{sub 2}O {yields} CO{sub 2} + H{sub 2}. Chlorobium thiosulfatophilum is also a photosynthetic anaerobic bacteria, and converts H{sub 2}S and COS to elemental sulfur.

• Research Organization: Arkansas Univ., Fayetteville, AR (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: FG21-90MC27225
• OSTI ID: 10123654
• Report Number(s): DOE/MC/27225--3625; ON: DE94000094; BR: AA8575000
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
090900
10 SYNTHETIC FUELS
100200
BIOCONVERSION
BIOREACTORS
CELL CULTURES
DESULFURIZATION
GROWTH
HYDROGEN SULFIDES
PROCESSING
PRODUCTION
PROGRESS REPORT
RHODOSPIRILLUM
SYNTHESIS GAS
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE