Kimmel D E, Klasson K T, Clausen E C, Gaddy J L
University of Arkansas, Department of Chemical Engineering, Fayetteville 72701.
Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 1991 Spring;28-29:457-69. doi: 10.1007/BF02922625.
Carbon monoxide, H2, and CO2 in synthesis gas can be converted to CH4 by employing a triculture of Rhodospirillum rubrum, Methanosarcina barkeri, and Methanobacterium formicicum. Trickle-bed reactors have been found to be effective for this conversion because of their high mass-transfer coefficients. This paper compares results obtained for the conversion of synthesis gas to CH4 in 5-cm- and 16.5-cm-diameter trickle-bed reactors. Mass-transfer and scale-up parameters are defined, and light requirements for R. rubrum are considered in bioreactor design.
