WO2008127629A1 - Croissance consortiale de microorganismes pour des charges de combustible - Google Patents

Croissance consortiale de microorganismes pour des charges de combustible Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008127629A1
WO2008127629A1 PCT/US2008/004672 US2008004672W WO2008127629A1 WO 2008127629 A1 WO2008127629 A1 WO 2008127629A1 US 2008004672 W US2008004672 W US 2008004672W WO 2008127629 A1 WO2008127629 A1 WO 2008127629A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
biocolumn
zone
consortium
nutrient
energy
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2008/004672
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English (en)
Other versions
WO2008127629B1 (fr
Inventor
Blair M. Aiken
Joseph P. Maceda
Nicholas E. Vanderborg
John L. Grimes
Patrick G. Grimes
Original Assignee
Gibbs Energy Llc
Singapore Technologies Dynamics Pte Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Gibbs Energy Llc, Singapore Technologies Dynamics Pte Ltd filed Critical Gibbs Energy Llc
Publication of WO2008127629A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008127629A1/fr
Publication of WO2008127629B1 publication Critical patent/WO2008127629B1/fr

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Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M21/00—Bioreactors or fermenters specially adapted for specific uses
    • C12M21/04—Bioreactors or fermenters specially adapted for specific uses for producing gas, e.g. biogas
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M21/00—Bioreactors or fermenters specially adapted for specific uses
    • C12M21/02—Photobioreactors

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the methods and systems for producing fuel feedstocks such as biogases, bioliquids and biosolids from microorganisms in a controlled manner with continuous inputs from dispersed energy sources, various carbon sources and nutrient feeds.
  • fuel feedstocks such as biogases, bioliquids and biosolids from microorganisms in a controlled manner with continuous inputs from dispersed energy sources, various carbon sources and nutrient feeds.
  • renewable energies like geothermal, solar, hydroelectric and wind are limited by the high cost to store and move that energy to population centers.
  • Geothermal energy provides for regional electrical and heating needs, but no practical means exist to capture and export that energy.
  • the energy available from renewable sources, like solar, hydroelectric and wind is limited by distance to population centers, weather, cost of energy- storage and inefficient and expensive electrical distribution networks.
  • the conversion of other alternative energy from other renewable organic feedstocks, like manure or wood chips, has been under utilized, as well. It would be advantageous to develop methods and systems that can maximize the value of these renewable energy sources and allow the energy export by converting that energy directly into biogases, bioliquids and biosolids, that will be processed into fungible fuels.
  • the present invention addresses this need.
  • the consortium exceeds the sum of the parts. In consortial relationships, energetically and nutritionally beneficial metabolites and nutrients are exchanged among participants, leading to optimal production and nutrient cycling in the community as a whole. It would be advantageous to develop methods and systems that can collect dispersed microorganism colonies into a single bioreactor or a series of bioreactors to maximize their growth by providing a continuous supply of carbon, nutrients and energy while continuously removing the byproducts produced in forms of biogases, bioliquids and biosolids.
  • the present invention addresses this need. Nature has provided many organisms that use photosynthesis for growth. The function of these organisms has been to capture atmospheric carbon. However, the atmosphere, plants and soil detritus represent only a few percent of the world's carbon inventory.
  • Paper number: MB04-111 (2004) reports that the relationship of algae microorganism growth rate from light intensity is temperature dependent. Generally, as the temperature increases, the saturation intensity increases which results in a higher specific growth rate. By providing both photon energy and thermal energy to the consortia of microorganisms, a maximized growth rate will be obtained. It also shows that there are optimal wavelengths of light to encourage growth and that there is an upper level of light intensity above which growth is actually inhibited. By controlling frequency, intensity and duration, which allows the microorganisms time to recover after accepting a photon, growth will; be enhanced. The present invention addresses these needs.
  • U.S. Patent 6,395,521 discloses a process to produce hydrogen from the growth of photosynthetic organisms in a tank, such as an air-lift type, to allow for culturing to occur under light and dark conditions.
  • This approach for bioreactor does not utilize the advantage of consortia of several different types of microorganisms that can naturally exchange energy and nutrients between the reaction zones of the consortia for optimal production of fuel feed stock and nutrient cycling within the entire community.
  • biocolumn This novel open system, called the biocolumn, systematizes these consortia under man-made conditions that will maximize the rate of conversion of carbon to biomass. Subsequently, this biomass can be used directly or converted to gases, chemicals, fuels or other commercial products. Using non-fungible available and renewable thermal energy sources to drive these processes will allow them to be converted to fungible products.
  • biocolumn converts carbon into biomass, it provides means to:
  • biocolumn This biocolumn, like oil and gas wells, will produce both methane gas and biomass slurry.
  • the biocolumn is an open system allowing microorganisms and ecosystem to flourish and be maintained by a continuous flow of energy and material inputs. It is the object of this invention to provide a novel systematized bio-processor for enhancing the rapid conversion of organic and inorganic carbon into desired products consisting of biomass, biofilms, and gases, under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions in the same, or separate vessels.
  • the biomass, biofilms and gases are available for processing or conversion into fuels, chemicals and other high value commercial products. Also, selected gases and biomass can be processed for CO 2 sequestration .
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram of a biocolumn with energy, carbon and nutrient inputs to a structure and showing outputs of product gases, liquids and solids.
  • FIG. 2A is a diagram of a biocolumn indicating the possible sources of energy, carbon and nutrient inputs for the biocolumn at selected zones and the possible outputs of desired product gases, liquids and solids.
  • FIG. 2B is a diagram of another embodiment of the biocolumn with the possible energy, carbon and nutrient inputs as well as the output of desired product gases, liquids and solids entering and leaving from the top of the column.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram of another embodiment of the biocolumn shown multiple locations of carbon and nutrient inputs, as well as selective outputs product liquids.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram of a biocolumn indicating temperature and pH gradients.
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram of the zones with the biocolumn.
  • FIG. 6A is a diagram of single member, an microorganism, of the consortium exists within a given zone of the biocolumn.
  • FIG. 6B is a diagram of member microorganism of the different consortium exchange energy, carbon and nutrients along pathways between zones or through outputs of the biocolumn.
  • the biocolumn is an enclosed structure that contains a column base, walls and a cap.
  • the biocolumn can be configured like most tank structures in either a cylindrical or rectangular shapes.
  • the biocolumn structure can be self supporting or supported. The likely height might range from 4 to 100 feet and have a diameter or diagonal between 1 and 200 feet.
  • the biocolumn has several inputs where it can receive liquid, slurries, and gases to provide the balance of energy, nutrients and carbon sources. Another input to the biocolumn is the introduction of photons.
  • the cap of the biocolumn may contain a translucent or transparent element in order for the photons to enter.
  • the biocolumns may also receive photons from lights added internally and placed at specific depths.
  • the biocolumn is also set up to harvest specific products of the biological reactions occurring within biocolumn. It is know than a vertical column of a fluid with a temperature higher on the bottom will result in the fluid on the bottom to move to the top.
  • This invention includes features that control said movement and add meaning to thermal manage the zones, such as heat exchangers, allowing for thermal zonation to be maintained within single columns. In other embodiments, the temperature gradient might be induced to take advantage of natural convection.
  • the outputs may consist of product gases, liquids and solids, such as methane or biomass.
  • the inputs and outputs are further defined for this embodiment.
  • the various biological reactions and microorganism growth occur at various points along the vertical height of the biocolumn.
  • geothermal fluids are introduced as the source of thermal energy, primary source for nutrients and secondary source of carbon through CO 2 and CH 4 gases.
  • the biocolumn receives the discharged geothermal fluids from naturally occurring fumaroles and wells, like those found in Iceland.
  • the geothermal fluid is water containing, but not limited to, dissolved solids and gases in varying amounts such as Silica (SiO 2 ) , Sodium (Na) , Potassium (K) , Calcium (Ca) , Magnesium (Mg), Carbonate (CC> 3 2 ⁇ ) , Sulfate (SO 4 ), Hydrogen Sulfide (H 2 S), Chloride (Cl), Fluoride (F), Iron (Fe)
  • a secondary source of nutrients and carbon can be introduced in the form of organic slurry.
  • the slurry can be a mixture of water and available organic waste streams, such as carbon rich manures, organic waste, and other bio nutrients to produce near constant eutrophication conditions to further increase biomass, biofilm, and various gas productions.
  • the slurry maybe introduced above a zone or multiple locations to allow for proper dispersion of heavier organic material through a specific zone for maximum utilized by all the microorganisms within the zone. This invention includes other features that control said dispersion of organic material movement, so such a problem is not a concern.
  • the primary carbon source At the top of the biocolumn, but still below the liquid level, is the primary carbon source. The carbon comes from the introduction of air or a dedicated CO 2 source.
  • the zone at the bottom of the biocolumn is called the reducing zone.
  • the third zone is called the oxidizing zone.
  • the top zone is called aerobic zone.
  • biocolumn By placing both aerobic and anaerobic zones in a vertical column with disparate energy and heat inputs provided along the biocolumn, organic and inorganic carbon intermediates are rapidly converted into biomass, biofilms, and gases at different points along the vertical height of the column.
  • the biocolumn combines zones of aerobic and anaerobic processes that involves multiple microbial kingdoms and species, and then exposes the microorganism to multiple energy and nutrients sources.
  • the microorganisms will move and located themselves within five zones to meet the optimum carbon requirements, temperature, level of oxygen, order of biochemical exchange efficiency, and available waste products.
  • the output of the biocolumn can be in the form of gas, liquid and solid. From the bottom of the biocolumn, biomass can be removed.
  • product liquids can be removed, which may be in the forms of biofllms or certain synthesized hydrocarbon liquids.
  • product gases can be collected and drawn from the biocolumn.
  • the gases can be, but not limited to, methane, oxygen and carbon dioxide.
  • the biocolumn is designed for rapid conversion of organic and inorganic carbon, into the building blocks of biologically synthesized biomass, biofilms, and gases, which are precursor substrates for the production of fuels, chemicals and other high value materials.
  • the biocolumn can also be configured to have the inputs and outputs enter from the top, as shown in Fig 2B.
  • Piping can be arranged and structured to have various inputs released into specific zones at designated depths. This arrangement of piping can be set up to collect the desired products created within in certain zones. The combination of two piping arrangements, side entrance and top entrance can work as well.
  • biocolumn' Another embodiment of the biocolumn' s five zones distributed in a series of connected tanks. Each tank would contain the necessary microorganism and would be provided the required energy, carbon and nutrients inputs, along with desired isothermal condition and removal of products as end products or to be moved between the tanks.
  • the entry point for a carbon source might have multiple locations along the vertical height of the biocolumn.
  • CO 2 may have to enter the biocolumn in multiple zones and at designated depths.
  • the secondary nutrient source can enter the biocolumn in more than one zone and at different depths.
  • the bio-column can also have multiply points along the vertical height of the column to remove liquid products. Certain selected products are produced within various zones and at certain depths.
  • the operating temperature of the bio-column varies over a temperature gradient that reduces in temperature as moving upwards.
  • the base of the bio-column may need to operate at a temperature within the range of 60 to 120°C. This will greatly depend on the temperature of the geothermal discharge that is pumped in and the type of microorganisms in the biocolumn' s consortium. Naturally occurring geothermal fluid discharge may need to be cooled by conventional mean, such as heat exchanger, before entering the biocolumn.
  • the temperature gradient decreases through the five zones to a temperature about 40°C in the aerobic zone.
  • the biocolumn uses the thermal energy of the geothermal or waste heat, or other sources to both drive reactions and increase the thermal gradient, there by increasing the amount vertical growth area available to specific members microorganisms while providing the optimal growth temperature and micro-environmental conditions for that species. Because each member microorganism of the consortium is symbiotically producing the requirements of another member and removing waste products of others, the biocolumn system has increased stability, flexibility, and energy efficiency over traditional bioreactor designs. It is object of this invention to utilize this consortium with simultaneous multiple carbon processing pathways and sources, multiple electron donors, and multiple electron acceptors cooperating within an open trading symbiotic microenvironment . In FIG 6, a single member, an microorganism, of the consortium exists within a given zone of the biocolumn.
  • each zone there is a single or multiple microorganisms that will propagate.
  • the member microorganisms of each zone react in the presence of a carbon source and selected nutrients to form new microorganisms and form reaction products and by-products.
  • the carbon source to sustain a member microorganism' s growth within the a zone are provided by either 1.
  • the nutrients need to support the growth of new microorganisms are provided by either
  • Another member microorganism' s product and by- products within its zone
  • An external energy source such as waste heat, transfer by heat exchangers placed within the biocolumn.
  • biofilm a slimy, glue-like substance that can anchors the consortia.
  • a biofilm can be formed by a single bacterial species, but more often biofilms consist of many species of bacteria, as well as fungi, algae, protozoa, debris and corrosion products: Conventional methods of killing bacteria (such as antibiotics, and disinfection) are often ineffective with biofilm established consortia further insulating the system from varied inputs of its open architecture .
  • the anchor points are disengaged by the injection of hydrogen peroxide at the anchor point not to kill the bacteria but simply signal biofilm release.
  • the biofilm act as the control system for the consortia allowing communication between the different consortia members for self-regulation and decreasing the power requirements and system complexity. Flexibility is therefore achieved by the consortia itself as open system energy and material inputs change the consortia continuously adapts it's various populations to balance the inputs. Also the biofilm protects the system from the shear of bubbles traveling up the length of the column further increasing stability.
  • microorganism's energy can be obtained from:
  • a microorganism' s carbon can be obtained from:
  • the biocolumn combines all four of these types of microorganisms: phototrophs, chemotrophs, autotrophs and heterotrophs into a single integrated structure, allowing specific microorganisms to occupy highly specific microsites within the zones of the consortium according to their environmental tolerances and their carbon and energy requirements.
  • the zones will form communities, as shown in FIG 5. Starting with the bottom of biocolumn, the reducing zone will form a community.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Genetics & Genomics (AREA)
  • Bioinformatics & Cheminformatics (AREA)
  • Biotechnology (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Microbiology (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Micro-Organisms Or Cultivation Processes Thereof (AREA)
  • Apparatus Associated With Microorganisms And Enzymes (AREA)
  • Processing Of Solid Wastes (AREA)

Abstract

La production de biomasse à terre se trouve restreinte par la quantité limitée de matière pouvant être produite par acre en raison des substances nutritives, du sol et des conditions météorologiques. Les espèces aquatiques peuvent être cultivées à des densités bien plus élevées par unité de surface et de manière bien plus continue. La plupart des bioréacteurs se sont concentrés sur la croissance d'espèces phototropes. La présente invention, qui se rapporte au domaine de la production de charge de combustible, concerne un système conçu pour reproduire les consortia interdépendants trouvés dans la nature où la majorité de la biomasse est anaérobique et non phototrope. Grâce au contrôle précis de l'apport en substances nutritives, du pH, de la température, des produits obtenus et du retrait des déchets, le système peut être réglé en vue de maintenir des conditions de 'floraison' continue des microorganismes dans toute la gamme des espèces résidentes. L'invention permet aussi de produire du fioul et des biofilms directement utilisables, ainsi que des flux gazeux susceptibles d'être transformés en substances chimiques utiles d'un point de vue commercial grâce à la technologie industrielle disponible.
PCT/US2008/004672 2007-04-14 2008-04-11 Croissance consortiale de microorganismes pour des charges de combustible WO2008127629A1 (fr)

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US92343807P 2007-04-14 2007-04-14
US60/923,438 2007-04-14

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102009053867A1 (de) * 2009-11-20 2011-05-26 Terranova Energy Gmbh Verfahren zur Herstellung von Bodenzusatzstoffen zur Verbesserung der Kationenaustauschkapazität, der Nährstoff- und der Wasserhaltefähigkeit von Böden
WO2013088407A1 (fr) * 2011-12-14 2013-06-20 CO.MA.SE. S.r.l. Procédé de production de biomasse algale
WO2014120087A1 (fr) * 2013-01-29 2014-08-07 Singapore Technologies Dynamics Pte Ltd Procédé pour la conception modulaire, la fabrication et l'assemblage de systèmes de biocolonne intégrés avec des sorties en aval multiples

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030228684A1 (en) * 1998-08-28 2003-12-11 Burbidge Ian Michael Photobioreactor
US20070037259A1 (en) * 2005-04-12 2007-02-15 Hennessey Susan M Integration of alternative feedstreams for biomass treatment and utilization

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030228684A1 (en) * 1998-08-28 2003-12-11 Burbidge Ian Michael Photobioreactor
US20070037259A1 (en) * 2005-04-12 2007-02-15 Hennessey Susan M Integration of alternative feedstreams for biomass treatment and utilization

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
LENNOX: "Winogradsky Columns", 18 July 2008 (2008-07-18), Retrieved from the Internet <URL:http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/j/e/jel5/biofilms/winogradsky.html> *

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102009053867A1 (de) * 2009-11-20 2011-05-26 Terranova Energy Gmbh Verfahren zur Herstellung von Bodenzusatzstoffen zur Verbesserung der Kationenaustauschkapazität, der Nährstoff- und der Wasserhaltefähigkeit von Böden
WO2013088407A1 (fr) * 2011-12-14 2013-06-20 CO.MA.SE. S.r.l. Procédé de production de biomasse algale
WO2014120087A1 (fr) * 2013-01-29 2014-08-07 Singapore Technologies Dynamics Pte Ltd Procédé pour la conception modulaire, la fabrication et l'assemblage de systèmes de biocolonne intégrés avec des sorties en aval multiples
US10072240B2 (en) 2013-01-29 2018-09-11 Singapore Technologies Dynamics Pte Ltd Method for modular design, fabrication and assembly of integrated biocolumn systems with multiple downstream outputs

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WO2008127629B1 (fr) 2008-12-18

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