Enhanced Mass Transfer Rate and Solubility of Methane via Addition of Alcohols for Methylosinus Trichosporium OB3b Fermentation

Abstract

The effect of alcohol on methane-water volumetric mass transfer coefficient (1(0) and solubility of methane was investigated in this study. Various alcohols including methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, butanol, and pentanol were added to aqueous solution and enhancement of both methane-water k(L)a (from 72h(-1) to 471 h(-1)) and solubility (from 21.72 mg/L to 30.41 mg/L) was observed, depending on alcohol type and concentration. Among all alcohols, 1-propanol exhibited largest enhancement via bubble coalescence inhibition effect. Enhanced methane-water kLa and methane solubility in aqueous solution were employed for the fermentation of Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b, and cell growth rate and maximum optical density were increased by 700% and 730%, respectively, by addition of 1-propanol. (C) 2016 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.