Paper details

Title:

Compared Performance of Trickle-Bed and Fluidized Bed Bioreactors for Syngas Bio-Upgrading into RNG

Author(s):

Albu Cimpoia, R., Dubé, C.D., Tartakovsky, B., Guiot, S.R.

Document(s):

Abstract:

The present study investigates, optimizes and compares the conversion of carbon monoxide (CO) and syngas (CO/H2/CO2, 40/40/20, and 20/20/10, v/v) to renewable natural gas (RNG) in two types of reactors, trickle-bed reactor (TBR) and fluidized bed reactor (FBR), highlighting their respective advantages and disadvantages. The comparison considered various aspects of reactor operation efficiency with regards to the specific roles of the different microbial trophic groups forRNG production. Overall, TBR results indicate good conversionefficiencies (up to 97%) and a relatively constant stoichiometry-based CH4 yield (88-100%), for CO partial pressures lower than 0.5atm. regardless of the operational condition tested. Once the biofilm was sufficiently developed, a maximum CO conversion activity of 37 mmolCO.g–1 volatile suspended solid (VSS). d–1was achieved. In FBR, restricted mass transfer and absence of attached biomass growth limited the overall reactor efficiency. Only 10% of initial biomass concentration was recovered at the end of the test. The reactor was operativeat higher CO partial pressure with non-diluted syngas but the maximum efficiency obtained under stable operating conditions was barely 82-85%. During thereactoroperation, methanogenic, hydrogenophilic, acetoclastic and carboxydotrophic specific activities variedin function of substrate composition, biofilm type and structure.

Keywords:

bioenergy, fixed bed, syngas, anaerobic process, circular economy, renewable natural gas (RNG)

Topic:

Biomass Conversion Technologies for Liquid and Gaseous Fuels, Chemicals and Materials

Subtopic:

Biomethane

Event:

25th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition

Session:

3DO.7.3

Pages:

1110 - 1115

ISBN:

978-88-89407-17-2

Paper DOI:

10.5071/25thEUBCE2017-3DO.7.3

Price:

FREE