Abstract
Electrification of chemical conversions using renewable energy facilitates carbon neutral routes for synthesis of valuable products. These conversions can be used as a combined solution for CO2 conversion and energy storage. An emerging example is electrifying biocatalytic upgrading of CO2 to produce renewable natural gas for seasonal energy storage applications. To gain advantages of biological catalysis such as higher efficiency, selectivity and mild operation conditions in industrial applications, the key challenge is the poor productivity.
To improve the reaction rates and biocompatible operation, we developed reactors with additively manufactures reactor components. Additively manufactured 3D electrodes facilitate higher volumetric productivity due to improved local surface properties.1 Transport issues could be minimized in electrolyte circulating bioreactors compared to static H-cells and stable performance over 2 months with pipeline-quality methane (>97% CH4) from CO2 could be demonstrated.
Reference
Kracke, J. S. Deutzmann, B. S. Jayathilake, S. Chandrasekaran, S. H. Pang, S. E. Baker and A. M. Spormann, Front. Microbiol. 12:696473