Solid-state bioreactors for efficient energy recovery from gaseous waste streams
5 affiliations
- 1Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
- 2Engineering Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
- 3Biosciences Center, National Laboratory of the Rockies
- 4Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas
- 5Quasar Energy Group
Abstract
Energy recovery from gas-phase waste streams is essential for reducing environmental impact, promoting sustainable industrial practices, and increasing profit margins. Compared to thermochemical pathways, biocatalytic conversions offer a compelling alternative due to their mild operating conditions and high specificity. However, conventional systems are hindered by slow gas-to-liquid mass transfer, resulting in high energy consumption and low productivity. Here, we demonstrate a new solid-state bioreactor (SSB) technology through a case study of methane-to-succinate conversion using methanotrophs. SSBs immobilize high densities of methanotrophs within gas-permeable, 3D-printed geometries that operate under gas-phase and static conditions. These reactors exhibit a 1–2 order of magnitude increase in biocatalytic performance compared to traditional liquid-phase reactors. Computational models of the SSB are developed and benchmarked against conventional stirred-tank reactor models to highlight design advantages.
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BibTeX
@article{ruelas2026solidstate,
title = {{Solid-state bioreactors for efficient energy recovery from gaseous waste streams}},
author = {Samantha Ruelas and Hawi B. Gemeda and Nathan C. Ellebracht and Joshua R. DeOtte and Jennifer M. Knipe and Natalie A. Hwee and Ellsbeth Webb and Michael T. Guarnieri and Calvin A. Henard and Xumeng Ge and Eric B. Duoss and Sarah E. Baker and Fang Qian},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1038/s41598-026-54237-1},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-54237-1},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Solid-state bioreactors for efficient energy recovery from gaseous waste streams
AU - Samantha Ruelas
AU - Hawi B. Gemeda
AU - Nathan C. Ellebracht
AU - Joshua R. DeOtte
AU - Jennifer M. Knipe
AU - Natalie A. Hwee
AU - Ellsbeth Webb
AU - Michael T. Guarnieri
AU - Calvin A. Henard
AU - Xumeng Ge
AU - Eric B. Duoss
AU - Sarah E. Baker
AU - Fang Qian
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Scientific Reports
DO - 10.1038/s41598-026-54237-1
UR - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-54237-1
AB - Energy recovery from gas-phase waste streams is essential for reducing environmental impact, promoting sustainable industrial practices, and increasing profit margins. Compared to thermochemical pathways, biocatalytic conversions offer a compelling alternative due to their mild operating conditions and high specificity. However, conventional systems are hindered by slow gas-to-liquid mass transfer, resulting in high energy consumption and low productivity. Here, we demonstrate a new solid-state bioreactor (SSB) technology through a case study of methane-to-succinate conversion using methanotrophs. SSBs immobilize high densities of methanotrophs within gas-permeable, 3D-printed geometries that operate under gas-phase and static conditions. These reactors exhibit a 1–2 order of magnitude increase in biocatalytic performance compared to traditional liquid-phase reactors. Computational models of the SSB are developed and benchmarked against conventional stirred-tank reactor models to highlight design advantages.
SN - 2045-2322
ER -