Methods for selectively producing hydrogen and methane from biomass feedstocks using an anaerobic biological system
First Claim
1. A method for selective production of hydrogen and methane from a biomass feedstock in a reactor vessel maintained under anaerobic conditions, the method comprising:
- a) introducing a pretreated biomass feedstock into a reactor vessel maintained under anaerobic conditions;
b) introducing a bacterial inoculum into the reactor vessel to facilitate digestion of the biomass feedstock;
c) setting a moisture concentration of contents of the reactor vessel at a first moisture level less than 85%;
d) collecting hydrogen gas from the reactor vessel at the first moisture level;
e) increasing the moisture concentration of the contents of the reactor vessel to a second moisture level greater than 90%; and
f) collecting methane gas from the reactor vessel at the second moisture level.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method for selective production of hydrogen and methane from a biomass feedstock in a reactor vessel maintained under anaerobic conditions by controlling moisture concentration in the reactor vessel. The method comprises the steps of introducing a biomass feedstock into the reactor vessel maintained under anaerobic conditions; introducing a bacterial inoculum into the reactor vessel to facilitate digestion of the biomass feedstock; setting a moisture concentration of the contents of the reactor vessel at a first moisture level; and collecting hydrogen gas from the reactor vessel. The method may further comprise maintaining the moisture concentration at a first moisture level or within a first moisture range. The method may additionally comprise increasing the moisture concentration of the contents of the reactor vessel to a second moisture concentration; and collecting methane gas from the reactor vessel. Switching between hydrogen and methane production is controlled by adjusting the moisture concentration of the contents of the reactor vessel.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method for selective production of hydrogen and methane from a biomass feedstock in a reactor vessel maintained under anaerobic conditions, the method comprising:
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a) introducing a pretreated biomass feedstock into a reactor vessel maintained under anaerobic conditions; b) introducing a bacterial inoculum into the reactor vessel to facilitate digestion of the biomass feedstock; c) setting a moisture concentration of contents of the reactor vessel at a first moisture level less than 85%; d) collecting hydrogen gas from the reactor vessel at the first moisture level; e) increasing the moisture concentration of the contents of the reactor vessel to a second moisture level greater than 90%; and f) collecting methane gas from the reactor vessel at the second moisture level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification