In this blog post, I describe the profit potential of a novel autotrophic bioreactor system that uses a network of interconnected bioreactors with novel autotrophic microbes, CO2 and Hydrogen to produce a combination of probiotics, short chained fatty acids (SCFA), Alcohols, and Alkanes.
Known Versus Predicted Autotrophic Microbes
Most readers with an interest in green energy are familiar with autotrophic methanogens, which are responsible for the production of methane derived from biomass. Are there other autotrophic microbes of interest, such as novel alcohologens for advanced biofuel production?
Autotrophic microbes use CO2 as their carbon source for cell growth. Some also use CO2 as reactant for energy production. Other autotrophic microbes of general interest include: sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB), homoacetogens, nitrifying bacteria, and anammox.
Key Insight #1
All autotrophic microbes share an unusual growth sensitivity to CO2. Elevated CO2 concentration inhibits the growth of autotrophic microbes. A tight band of low CO2 concentration provides optimal growth conditions for autotrophic microbes.
Key Insight #2
Thermodynamic analysis predicts multiple groups of novel autotrophs. This thermodynamic analysis predicted Anammox. It took microbiologists about 10 years to isolate the first Anammox strain, but inhibitory concentration of CO2 was to blame. Isolation and characterization of these novel autotrophic microbes will be much faster with the ideal CO2 concentration.
Three Classes of Biomolecules and Previously Described Known and Predicted Autotrophic Microbes
The simplest Bioreactor System utilizing known and predicted autotrophs would be organized in three product silos: SCFA, Alcohols, and Alkanes. In the figure, the blue cells represent known autotrophs, which could be used to start the SCFA and Alkane silos. The pink cells represent gaseous end products, while the white cells represent liquid end products. Formate (gray cell) is included, but it isn’t necessary to generate longer chain SCFA.
Three Product Silo BioReactor System
For each product silo, a bioreactor could be fed CO2 and H2 to generate a longer chained product. For the SCFA silo, the main product is the autotroph biomass (probiotic), which could be microencapsulated and sold to supplement companies or dairy farmers. The SCFA could also be sold to food and chemical manufacturers with an interest in green sourcing. The Alcohol and Alkane silos would require downstream processing. Inactivated biomass sells for nutritional value.
Two Novel Autotrophic Classes Reduce Biomolecules
Two novel classes of autotrophs could allow for product silo crossing in the three product silo bioreactor system, as shown in the figure below.
SCFA Reducing Autotrophs
Thermodynamic analysis predicts three novel SCFA reducing autotrophs. These autotrophs reduce SCFA with hydrogen to an alcohol. For example, the Acetate Reducing Ethanologen reduces Acetate to Ethanol. This class of autotrophs allows for the switch from the SCFA silo to the Alcohol silo. This would allow for the generation of the probiotic (SCFA silo), while producing a more valuable alcohol end product.
Alcohol Reducing Autotrophs
Thermodynamic analysis predicts four novel Alcohol reducing autotrophs. These autotrophs reduce an Alcohol with hydrogen to an Alkane. For example, the Ethanol Reducing Ethanogen reduces Ethanol to Ethane. This class of autotrophs allows for the switch from the Alcohol silo to the Alkane silo. This would allow for the generation of a gaseous end product (alkane) instead of a liquid end product (alcohol).
Current Profitable Pathway of the Novel Autotrophic BioReactor System
With a complete bioreactor system with product silos and silo crossing bioreactors, a profitable product portfolio pathway is possible. In the figure below, I provided a pathway that could be very profitable with both probiotics (Propiogen and Butyrogen) and either Alcohols (Propanol and/or Butanol) or Alkanes (Propane and/or Butane). Market prices and reactant costs determine the optimal product portfolio pathway.
Commercialization Pathway for the Novel Autotrophic BioReactor System
If there’s interest in this Novel Autotrophic BioReactor System, then follow the three step plan for commercialization.
Isolate and Characterize Novel Autotrophic Microbes
This Novel Autotrophic BioReactor System commercialization plan requires the isolation and characterization of several autotrophs. Thermodynamic analysis predicts these novel autotrophic microbes. The combination of a proper anaerobic, autotrophic microbiology laboratory and a skilled microbiologist should suffice. The laboratory will require gas chromatography for gas characterization. Growth rate information for isolates will be necessary for bioreactor design. I’m available to assist in this effort.
Demonstrate Autotrophic BioReactor System for Production of Probiotics, SCFA, and Green Energy Biomolecules
With the autotrophs properly characterized, design a simple bioreactor system for a demonstration using CO2 and H2. A successful demonstration provides a good estimate of the potential profitability of the bioreactor system for production of probiotics, SCFA, and Green Energy Biomolecules.
Secure License for Patents
License the patents for the Novel Autotrophic BioReactor System from the University of South Florida (USF). Send me an email for USF contact information.
More Information Available
I provided a video that describes multiple business opportunities that could impact Agriculture, Environmental Remediation, Water and Wastewater Treatment, Metals Recovery, BioEnergy, and Health markets.
Send Me Your Questions About The Novel Autotrophic BioReactor System
Send me your questions about using novel autotrophic bioreactor system for maximum profits to pete@glixin.com.
