29
In
Situ Microbial
Conversion of Sequestered Greenhouse Gases--Altuda Energy Corporation, 401 Austin Highway,
Suite 209, San Antonio, TX 78209-4670;
210-829-8080
Mr.
Andrew R. Scott, Principal Investigator, andrew@altuda.com
Mr.
Andrew R. Scott, Business Official, andrew@altuda.com
DOE
Grant No. DE-FG02-03ER83606
Amount:
$749,999
This
project will use microbiological bioconversion technology in situ to
convert sequestered greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide and carbon
monoxide, into methane and other useful organic compounds.
Indigenous anaerobic bacteria will be added to coal along with
supplemental nutrients to stimulate bioconversion.
In Phase I, a large number of coal samples were collected from coalbed
methane wells for microbial evaluation. The
feasibility of using microorganisms to convert coal into methane was
demonstrated. Specific areas for
coal and microorganism collection during Phase II were identified.
In Phase II, microbial enrichments will be prepared from coal (both whole
core and cutting samples) and evaluated for methane formation.
The microbes will be isolated and characterized, and an optimum culture
mix will be developed. Factors
affecting bioconversion economics will be evaluated, and industry stakeholders
will be identified and contacted for Phase III Field Tests.
Commercial
Applications and Other Benefits as
described by awardee: The in situ bioconversion of sequestered greenhouse gases, along with
part of the coal, into methane would provide clean, environmentally friendly
energy and significantly increase
U.S.
natural gas supplies,
thereby reducing foreign energy dependency.
The same bioconversion technology could be applied to coalbed methane
wells with high concentrations of naturally-occurring carbon dioxide, resulting
in the bioconversion of undesirable greenhouse gases into an environmentally
friendly energy resource.
Additionally,
the indigenous microorganisms in coal beds may contain genomes that would have
useful applications in the biomedical industry or other fields.