Experimental optimization of biological methanation with Methanothermobacter thermoautotrophicus ΔH in a lab-scale trickle-bed reactor

Schindhelm L, Herkendell K (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Book Volume: 35

Article Number: 102964

DOI: 10.1016/j.biteb.2026.102964

Abstract

The European Commission's REPowerEU plan targets a tenfold increase in biomethane production by 2030, yet German production cannot scale proportionally due to limited biogenic feedstock. Biological methanation (BM) offers an alternative methanation pathway. We operate a 0.005m3 trickle-bed reactor (TBR) at pop=0.25MPaabs with Methanothermobacter thermoautotrophicus ΔH. By shifting the flow regime from bubble to trickle flow the methane purity yCH4 instantaneously increases from 84.8% to 91.8% (all ±2%) at a gas-hourly space velocity of 1.2h−1. Switching from counter-current to co-current operation further elevates yCH4 to a peak purity of 98.7−2.0+1.3%. We identify that in co-current operation the gas flow more closely resembles ideal plug-flow, whereas counter-current flow aggravates axial dispersion. A maximum daily methane production rate of MPRR,max=0.36±0.01h−1 at yCH4=94.8% was achieved. The results show the optimization potential to support upscaling of BM.

Involved external institutions

Technische Universität Berlin DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Schindhelm, L., & Herkendell, K. (2026). Experimental optimization of biological methanation with Methanothermobacter thermoautotrophicus ΔH in a lab-scale trickle-bed reactor. , 35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biteb.2026.102964

MLA:

Schindhelm, Lucas, and Katharina Herkendell. "Experimental optimization of biological methanation with Methanothermobacter thermoautotrophicus ΔH in a lab-scale trickle-bed reactor." 35 (2026).

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