Artists’ concept of microbial energy production
It should be possible to use bacteria to generate power and purify the atmosphere of greenhouse gases. Radboud University microbiologists published a new article demonstrating that methane-consuming bacteria can generate power in the laboratory.
The bacteria CandidatusMethanoperedens are methane-based bacteria that grows naturally in fresh water, such as lakes or ditches. The bacteria thrives in areas where groundwater and surface water are contaminated by nitrogen.
The researchers wanted to find out more about the microorganism’s conversion processes. They also wanted to know if it was possible to generate electricity with it. Cornelia Welte, microbiologist, author, says this could be very useful in the energy sector. Current biogas installations use methane that is produced by microorganisms. It is then burned, which drives a turbine and generates power. The maximum power conversion rate for biogas is less than half. We are looking to see if microorganisms can be used to do better.
A type of battery
Nijmegen’s microbiologists have previously demonstrated that It is possible to generate power with anammox bacteriaInstead of methane, they use ammonium in the process. Heleen Ouboter, microbiologist, states that the process in these bacteria is nearly identical. We create a type of battery that has two terminals. One is a biochemical terminal, and the other is a physical terminal. We grow bacteria on one electrode, to which electrons are donated by the bacteria from the methane conversion.
Researchers were able convert 31 percent of the methane to electricity through this approach. However they plan to achieve higher efficiency. Welte said that the system will be improved.
Reference: Methane-Dependent Electron Transfer at The Bioanode by Anaerobic Archaeal Methanotroph CandidatusMethanoperedens by Heleen Tuboter, Tom Berben and Stefanie Berger. Tom S. M. Jetten. Tom Sleutels. Annemiek Ter Heijne. Cornelia U. Welte. 12 April 2022. Frontiers in Microbiology.
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.820989
