Innovative ex-situ biological biogas upgrading using immobilized biomethanation bioreactor (IBBR)

By: Baransi-Karkaby K., Hassanin M., Muhsein S., Massalha N., Sabbah I.
Published in: Water Science and Technology
SDGs : SDG 06  |  Units:   | Time: 2020 |  Link
Description: The upgrading of biogas to natural gas quality (above 90% CH4) will broaden its application. A novel ex-situ immobilized biomethanation bioreactor (IBBR) was developed for biologically upgrading biogas by reducing CO2 to CH4 using H2 as an electron donor. The developed process is based on immobilized microorganisms within a polymeric matrix enabling the application of high recirculation to increase the H2 bioavailability. This generated an increase in the consumption rate of H2 and the production rate of CH4. This process was demonstrated at laboratory-scale system, where the developed process led to a production of 80%–89% CH4 with consumption of more than 93% of the fed H2. However, a lower CH4 content was achieved in the bench-scale system, likely as a result of lower H2 consumption (63%–90%).