Fermentation control for optimization of syngas utilization
First Claim
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1. A method of operating a fermentation reactor comprising:
- (a) providing a fermentation reactor having a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and an energy input, wherein said energy input comprisesagitating a liquid medium inside the fermentation reactor, orpumping the liquid medium inside the fermentation reactor;
(b) providing the liquid medium inside the fermentation reactor;
(c) providing an autotrophic acetogenic bacteria in the liquid medium;
(d) providing syngas into the gas inlet at a flow rate;
(e) obtaining an effluent gas at said gas outlet;
(f) determining p*CO, where p*CO is a partial pressure of dissolved carbon monoxide in the liquid medium;
(g) controlling either the flow rate of syngas, the energy input or both to favor hydrogen uptake in said liquid medium over carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide based on said p*CO, wherein;
(i) if said p*CO is greater than 2×
10−
3 kPa, then either decreasing the syngas flow rate or decreasing the energy input or both and(ii) if said p*CO is less than 2×
10−
3 kPa, then either increasing the syngas flow rate or increasing the energy input or both.
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Abstract
Controlling the gas inlet flow rate and energy input to a fermentation reactor to maximize conversion of syngas by maximizing uptake of hydrogen into a medium relative to carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide based on determined volumetric mass transfer coefficients for hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of operating a fermentation reactor comprising:
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(a) providing a fermentation reactor having a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and an energy input, wherein said energy input comprises agitating a liquid medium inside the fermentation reactor, or pumping the liquid medium inside the fermentation reactor; (b) providing the liquid medium inside the fermentation reactor; (c) providing an autotrophic acetogenic bacteria in the liquid medium; (d) providing syngas into the gas inlet at a flow rate; (e) obtaining an effluent gas at said gas outlet; (f) determining p*CO, where p*CO is a partial pressure of dissolved carbon monoxide in the liquid medium; (g) controlling either the flow rate of syngas, the energy input or both to favor hydrogen uptake in said liquid medium over carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide based on said p*CO, wherein; (i) if said p*CO is greater than 2×
10−
3 kPa, then either decreasing the syngas flow rate or decreasing the energy input or both and(ii) if said p*CO is less than 2×
10−
3 kPa, then either increasing the syngas flow rate or increasing the energy input or both. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of operating a fermentation reactor comprising:
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(a) providing a fermentation reactor having a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and an energy input, wherein said energy input comprises agitating a liquid medium inside the fermentation reactor, or pumping the liquid medium inside the fermentation reactor; (b) providing the liquid medium inside the fermentation reactor; (c) providing an autotrophic acetogenic bacteria in the liquid medium; (d) providing syngas into the gas inlet at a flow rate; (e) obtaining an effluent gas at said gas outlet; (f) determining p*CO, where p*CO is a partial pressure of dissolved carbon monoxide in the liquid medium; and (g) controlling either the flow rate of syngas, the energy input or both to favor hydrogen uptake in said liquid medium over carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide based on said p*CO, wherein; (i) if said p*CO is greater than 2×
10−
4 kPa, then either decreasing the syngas flow rate or decreasing the energy input or both and(ii) if said p*CO is less than 2×
10−
4 kPa, then either increasing the syngas flow rate or increasing the energy input or both. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification
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Current AssigneeBoard of Regents of Oklahoma State University
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Original AssigneeBoard of Regents of Oklahoma State University
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InventorsAtiyeh, Hasan K., Phillips, John Randall, Huhnke, Raymond L.
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Primary Examiner(s)Tichy, Jennifer M. H.
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Application NumberUS15/526,558Publication NumberTime in Patent Office1,635 DaysField of Search4352527US Class CurrentCPC Class CodesC12P 7/065 with microorganisms other t...C12P 7/54 Acetic acid vinegar C12JC12Q 3/00 Condition responsive contro...Y02E 50/10 Biofuels, e.g. bio-diesel
