Method and System for Converting Electricity Into Alternative Energy Resources

• US 20110165667A1
• Filed: 03/16/2011
• Published: 07/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: University of Chicago
• Original Assignee: University of Chicago
• Inventors: METS, LAURENS
• Application Number:
  US13/049,775
• Publication Number:
  US 20110165667A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/297.1
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 21/04 for producing gas, e.g. biogas digesters for manure with production of biogas A01C3/028, biological treatment of water, waste water or sewage C02F3/00, C02F11/02, preparation of natural gas or syngas C10L3/06, C10L3/10
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 43/00 Combinations of bioreactors or fermenters with other apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 43/04 Bioreactors or fermenters combined with combustion devices or plants, e.g. for carbon dioxide removal C12M43/06 takes precedence; recovery of carbon dioxide C12F3/02
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 43/08 Bioreactors or fermenters combined with devices or plants for production of electricity
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 3/25 Reduction
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 9/19 with diaphragms
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/30 Fuel from waste, e.g. synthetic alcohol or diesel
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/133 Renewable energy sources, e.g. sunlight

Abstract

A system to convert electric power into methane includes a reactor having a first chamber and a second chamber separated by a proton permeable barrier. The first chamber includes a passage between an inlet and an outlet containing at least a porous electrically conductive cathode, a culture comprising living methanogenic microorganisms, and water. The second chamber includes at least an anode. The reactor has an operating state wherein the culture is maintained at a temperature above 50° C. The system also includes a source of electricity coupled to the anode and the cathode, and a supply of carbon dioxide coupled to the first chamber. The outlet of the system receives methane from the first chamber.

Claims

1. A system to convert electric power into methane, the system comprising:

a reactor having a first chamber and a second chamber separated by a proton permeable barrier, the first chamber comprising a passage between an inlet and an outlet containing at least a porous electrically conductive cathode, a culture comprising living methanogenic microorganisms, and water, and the second chamber comprising at least an anode,

the reactor having an operating state wherein the culture is maintained at a temperature above 50°

C.;

a source of electricity coupled to the anode and the cathode; and

a supply of carbon dioxide coupled to the first chamber

wherein the outlet receives methane from the first chamber.

2. The system of claim 1, comprising an electrolytic medium circulating through the passage and the cathode.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the carbon dioxide concentration of the electrolytic medium at the entrance to the passage is maintained at 0.1 mM or higher.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the passage is formed between the proton permeable barrier and a current collector.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first chamber consists essentially of the porous electrically conductive cathode disposed in the passage between the inlet and the outlet, the culture comprising living methanogenic microorganisms, and an electrolytic medium circulating through the passage and the cathode.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the passage is formed between the proton permeable barrier and a current collector.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the barrier comprises a solid polymer electrolyte membrane.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the porous electrically conductive cathode comprises a reticulated carbon foam.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the reactor has an operating state wherein the culture is maintained in the first chamber at a temperature of about 55°

C. or higher.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the reactor has an operating state wherein the culture is maintained in the first chamber at a temperature of about 60°

C. or higher.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the culture comprises Archaea adapted to nearly stationary growth conditions.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the culture comprises Archaea of the subkingdom Euryarcheaota.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the culture is a monoculture of Euryarcheaota.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the Archaea consist essentially of Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus.

15. The system according to claim 1, wherein the reactor has the operating state and a dormant state, the reactor changing from the dormant state to the operating state without addition of methanogenic microorganisms.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the dormant state exists when the reactor is decoupled from the source of electricity or the source of carbon dioxide.

17. The system according to claim 1, wherein the source of electricity comprises at least one of a coal-fired power plant, a natural-gas fired power plant, a biomass-fired power plant, a nuclear power plant, a wind-powered turbine, a water-powered turbine, a fuel cell, a geothermal power source, a solar thermal system or a photovoltaic system.

18. The system according to claim 1, wherein oxygen is the only gaseous byproduct.

19. The system according to claim 1, wherein water is a primary net electron donor for the methanogenic microorganisms.

20. The system according to claim 1, wherein the reactor operates at an electrical current density above 6 mA/cm2.