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Biological elimination of dilute methane through multi-channel Taylor flow capillary bioreactors

Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Elimination of dilute methane (<5 % v/v) was investigated in several multi-channel capillary bioreactor configurations and evaluated for operating conditions and parameters relevant to long-term reliable performance. Although all reactors showed a high methane removal capacity, the addition of only surfactant or only silicone oil did not show enhancement in methane removal. The capillary bioreactor containing both silicone oil (up to 20 % v/v, 20 cSt) and surfactant (BRIJ 58) treated methane with very high elimination capacities of >200 g per m 3 internal capillary channel per hour at gas contact times around 30 s, which is one order of magnitude lower than gas contact times of conventional biological gas treatment methods. No accumulation of biomass on the walls of capillary channels was observed during the 300 days of operation. Internal gas recirculation was applied to decouple gas-liquid turbulence conditions from the actual gas retention time. This work revealed that a capillary bioreactor can be a useful platform for the abatement of dilute methane emissions. • Multi-stage capillary bioreactors (CBRs) treating dilute methane were studied long-term. • Very high methane elimination capacities obtained under very short gas contact times • Altered liquid phase proved also buffer for methane during transient methane conditions. • No biomass accumulation inside capillary channels explained by pulsating shear stress • A CBR appears to be a useful platform for the abatement of dilute methane emissions.
DOI: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107531
Language: English
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,350
OpenAlex ID: W4408772939
FWCI: 0.838
Cites: 45
Cited by: 3
Related to: 10