Recovery of Products and Intermediates

Development and optimisation of product gas clean up

The clean up of product gases is of key importance to the deployment of biohydrogen production at an industrial scale.  As a result of the biological production processes, the gases generated contain significant concentrations of contaminants such as concentrations of CO₂ and contaminants, such as H₂S.  These contaminants require removal prior to use and the concentration of H₂ or CH₄ increased as far as is practicable. This is particularly the case for novel end uses such as low temperature fuel cells, or internal combustion engines (ICEs), where high quality gases are required.  The project will undertake research to identify existing and emerging technologies that could be used to remove contaminants from product gases and generate a high quality, high value fuel gas or gases.  

The research will involve direct interaction with technology suppliers and technology developers in order to gather sufficient data relating to each technology. Results of the research will be compiled into an ‘Industrial H₂/CH₄ Gas Upgrading Report’ which will be published and disseminated on a non-discriminatory basis.

Solid/Liquid Separations

The utilisation of intermediate and by-products from the bio-hydrogen production process is as important to the industrial deployment of the technology as the production of energy. Maximising the economic value of these materials will have a significant impact on the eventual viability of the process in the market place. This project will undertake research to develop a number of processes which will recover useable solid materials and chemical intermediates (in the form of Volatile Fatty Acids).

 PHA Harvesting

The PHA from the PHA conversion system can take various forms in both composition concentrations within the cells and the physiological and physical state of the cells.  The production of PHA from the cells can be produced in many forms dependent on use and the properties required.  The aim of this work package will therefore be to devise a robust and flexible process produce a number of stable preparations that can be used alone or formulated with other materials.

PHA Production

The project investigates the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), which are biobased, bioproduced and biodegradable polymers. Research includes understanding of process kinetics and implementation of novel monitoring, modelling and control systems in order to optimise biopolymer production. Substrates used are low grade biomass, wastes and digestates. Current R&D emphasis include the integration of processes such as biohydrogen and acidogenic anaerobic fermentations and anaerobic digestion with PHA production process using pure and mixed bacterial cultures.