Repeated batch methanol production from a simulated biogas mixture using immobilized Methylocystis bryophila

Sanjay K.S. Patel, Sanath Kondaveeti, Sachin V. Otari, Ravi T. Pagolu, Seong Hun Jeong, Sun Chang Kim, Byung Kwan Cho, Yun Chan Kang, Jung Kul Lee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In this study, biological methanol production under repeated batch conditions by immobilized Methylocystis bryophila, using simulated biogas of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) as a feed is demonstrated for the first time. The composition of the simulated gas mixtures significantly influenced methanol production by M. bryophila, and in all cases, higher concentrations were achieved than with pure CH4 alone. Under optimum conditions, maximum methanol concentrations of 4.88 mmol L−1, 7.47 mmol L−1, and 7.02 mmol L−1 were achieved using the gas mixtures CH4:CO2 (2:1 ratio), CH4:hydrogen [H2, (4:1 ratio)], and CH4:CO2:H2 (6:3:2 ratio), respectively, as feed, with a fixed CH4 concentration of 30%. Methanol yield was increased to 7.85 mmol L−1 using covalently immobilized cells and the simulated gas mixture CH4:CO2:H2 (6:3:2 ratio). Under repeated batch conditions, immobilized cells produced a significantly higher cumulative methanol concentration (25.75 mmol L−1) than free cells (15.50 mmol L−1), using a simulated biogas mixture of CH4:CO2 (2:1) and eight reuse cycles, suggesting that this mixture can potentially be utilized as a feed for the production of methanol. Furthermore, the effective utilization of low-cost feedstock, derived from natural sources, containing gas mixtures of CH4:CO2, CH4:H2, or CH4:CO2:H2, constitute an economical and environmentally friendly approach to the reduction of greenhouse gases.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)477-485
Number of pages9
JournalEnergy
Volume145
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018 Feb 15

Keywords

  • Greenhouse gases
  • Immobilization
  • Methane
  • Methanol production
  • MethylOcystis bryophila
  • Simulated biogas

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Building and Construction
  • Pollution
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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