Bioreactor with Improved Methane Transfer

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Program:
REMOTE
Award:
$6,896,121
Location:
Skokie, Illinois
Status:
ALUMNI
Project Term:
01/29/2014 - 08/31/2020

Technology Description:

LanzaTech will combine methane fermentation expertise, experimental bioreactor characterization, as well as advanced simulation and modeling to develop a novel gas fermentation system that can significantly improve gas to liquid mass transfer, or the rate at which methane gas is delivered to a biocatalyst. This unique bioreactor concept seeks to efficiently transfer methane to microbial biocatalysts by reducing the energy demand required for high transfer rates. Although methane is a flammable gas, the new technology also maintains the safe operation necessary for a small-scale conversion process. This bioreactor design would significantly reduce capital and operating costs, enabling small-scale deployment of fuel production from remote natural gas sources. LanzaTech’s new gas fermentation system could help produce liquid fuel at a cost of less than $2 per gallon of gasoline equivalent.

Potential Impact:

If successful, LanzaTech’s system will process large amounts of methane at a high rate, reducing the costs associated with methane conversion to enable small-scale deployment of natural gas conversion.

Security:

An improved bioconversion process could create cost-competitive liquid fuels significantly reducing demand for foreign oil.

Environment:

This technology would allow for utilization of small-scale remote natural gas resources or methane and carbon rich gas residues for fuel production reducing harmful emissions associated with conventional fuel technologies.

Economy:

Expanding U.S. natural gas resources via bioconversion to liquid fuels could contribute tens of billions of dollars to the nation's economy while reducing or stabilizing transport fuel prices.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Marc von Keitz
Project Contact:
Dr. Derek Griffin
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
Derek.Griffin@lanzatech.com

Partners

San Diego State University
Louisiana State University
University of California, San Diego
Michigan Technological University
CUNY Energy Institute

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Release Date:
03/15/2013