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Chapter 4 Gas fermentation

  • Lydia Rachbauer , Günther Bochmann and Werner Fuchs
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The Autotrophic Biorefinery
This chapter is in the book The Autotrophic Biorefinery

Abstract

Gas fermentation is an upcoming technology utilizing autotrophic microorganisms to convert gaseous feedstock into products of higher value. As a key element, the envisioned “autotrophic biorefinery” incorporates CO2/CO as an alternative carbon source aiming to establish decarbonization of the energy and material sector. However, besides its high potential, gas fermentation comes up with several new challenges. Gas fermentations are characterized by limited substrate solubility, and thus, low mass transfer. This chapter summarizes potential feedstocks and products as well as different types of microbial cultures employed for bioconversion. It discusses applicable reactor configurations to enhance gas transfer from gas to liquid phase and, finally, presents various approaches and upcoming techniques, for example, electrofermentation, to overcome specific barriers of this highly promising bioconversion concept.

Abstract

Gas fermentation is an upcoming technology utilizing autotrophic microorganisms to convert gaseous feedstock into products of higher value. As a key element, the envisioned “autotrophic biorefinery” incorporates CO2/CO as an alternative carbon source aiming to establish decarbonization of the energy and material sector. However, besides its high potential, gas fermentation comes up with several new challenges. Gas fermentations are characterized by limited substrate solubility, and thus, low mass transfer. This chapter summarizes potential feedstocks and products as well as different types of microbial cultures employed for bioconversion. It discusses applicable reactor configurations to enhance gas transfer from gas to liquid phase and, finally, presents various approaches and upcoming techniques, for example, electrofermentation, to overcome specific barriers of this highly promising bioconversion concept.

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Contents V
  3. List of authors VII
  4. Chapter 1 A short recapitulation of the autotrophic metabolism 1
  5. Chapter 2 Metabolic engineering of microbes 19
  6. Chapter 3 Protein engineering 47
  7. Chapter 4 Gas fermentation 85
  8. Chapter 5 Introduction to autotrophic cultivation of microalgae in photobioreactors 113
  9. Chapter 6 Synthetic biology of cyanobacteria 131
  10. Chapter 7 Algal biotechnology 173
  11. Chapter 8 Biocatalytic applications of autotrophic organisms 207
  12. Chapter 9 Photocatalysis to promote cell-free biocatalytic reactions 247
  13. Chapter 10 Electroautotrophs: feeding microbes with current for CO2 fixation 277
  14. Chapter 11 Cupriavidus necator – a broadly applicable aerobic hydrogen-oxidizing bacterium 297
  15. Chapter 12 Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) as renewable resource 319
  16. Chapter 13 Applications of mixed microbial cultures in industrial biotechnology 353
  17. Chapter 14 Economic framework of autotrophic processes 385
  18. Index 397
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110550603-004

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Contents V
  3. List of authors VII
  4. Chapter 1 A short recapitulation of the autotrophic metabolism 1
  5. Chapter 2 Metabolic engineering of microbes 19
  6. Chapter 3 Protein engineering 47
  7. Chapter 4 Gas fermentation 85
  8. Chapter 5 Introduction to autotrophic cultivation of microalgae in photobioreactors 113
  9. Chapter 6 Synthetic biology of cyanobacteria 131
  10. Chapter 7 Algal biotechnology 173
  11. Chapter 8 Biocatalytic applications of autotrophic organisms 207
  12. Chapter 9 Photocatalysis to promote cell-free biocatalytic reactions 247
  13. Chapter 10 Electroautotrophs: feeding microbes with current for CO2 fixation 277
  14. Chapter 11 Cupriavidus necator – a broadly applicable aerobic hydrogen-oxidizing bacterium 297
  15. Chapter 12 Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) as renewable resource 319
  16. Chapter 13 Applications of mixed microbial cultures in industrial biotechnology 353
  17. Chapter 14 Economic framework of autotrophic processes 385
  18. Index 397
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