Title: Artificial photosynthesis systems and methods for producing carbon-based chemical compounds

Abstract

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to artificial photosynthesis. In one aspect a system includes a photoanode chamber including a photoanode assembly, a photocathode chamber including a photocathode assembly, an electrical connection electrically connecting the photoanode assembly and the photocathode assembly, a membrane separating the photoanode chamber and the photocathode chamber, and a microorganism disposed in the photocathode chamber. The photoanode assembly is operable to oxidize water to generate oxygen, protons, and electrons. The membrane is permeable to the protons and operable to allow the protons to travel to the photocathode chamber. The electrical connection provides electrons to the photocathode assembly. The microorganism comprises a metabolic pathway to reduce carbon dioxide and to generate a carbon-based compound using the electrons or hydrogen formed by two protons.

Inventors:

Yang, Peidong; Chang, Michelle C. Y.; Chang, Christopher J.; Liu, Chong; Gallagher, Joseph J.; Nichols, Eva M.

Issue Date:

2018-12-25

Research Org.:

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1531381

Patent Number(s):

10160980

Application Number:

15/061,378

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California (Oakland, CA)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

C - CHEMISTRY C12 - BIOCHEMISTRY C12M - APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

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C - CHEMISTRY C12 - BIOCHEMISTRY C12M - APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY

C12M43/00 - {Combinations of bioreactors or fermenters with other apparatus}
C12M29/04 - {Filters

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E60/36 - Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources

C - CHEMISTRY C12 - BIOCHEMISTRY C12M - APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY

C12M43/06 - {Photobioreactors combined with devices or plants for gas production different from a bioreactor of fermenter}

C - CHEMISTRY C25 - ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES C25B - ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS

C25B11/02 - characterised by shape or form
C25B11/04 - characterised by the material

C - CHEMISTRY C12 - BIOCHEMISTRY C12P - FERMENTATION OR ENZYME-USING PROCESSES TO SYNTHESISE A DESIRED CHEMICAL COMPOUND OR COMPOSITION OR TO SEPARATE OPTICAL ISOMERS FROM A RACEMIC MIXTURE {

C12P7/54 - Acetic acid

C - CHEMISTRY C12 - BIOCHEMISTRY C12M - APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY

C12M23/34 - {Internal compartments or partitions}

C - CHEMISTRY C12 - BIOCHEMISTRY C12P - FERMENTATION OR ENZYME-USING PROCESSES TO SYNTHESISE A DESIRED CHEMICAL COMPOUND OR COMPOSITION OR TO SEPARATE OPTICAL ISOMERS FROM A RACEMIC MIXTURE {

C12P5/023 - {Methane}

C - CHEMISTRY C25 - ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES C25B - ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS

C25B1/04 - by electrolysis of water

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E50/30 - Fuel from waste

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DOE Contract Number:  

AC02-05CH11231

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2016-03-04

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English