Towards Realisation of Untapped Oil Resources via Enhanced THAI-CAPRI Process Using Novel Catalysts
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: Earth Atmospheric and Env Sciences
Abstract
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Organisations
Publications
Brown A
(2016)
Upgrading of heavy oil by dispersed biogenic magnetite catalysts
in Fuel
Byrne JM
(2015)
Scale-up of the production of highly reactive biogenic magnetite nanoparticles using Geobacter sulfurreducens.
in Journal of the Royal Society, Interface
Muhamadali H
(2015)
Metabolic Profiling of Geobacter sulfurreducens during Industrial Bioprocess Scale-Up.
in Applied and environmental microbiology
| Description | The microbial synthesis of magnetic and catalytic Fe nanoparticles was demonstrated, and scaled up with an industrial partner. The particles were then used to successfully upgrade oil using the THAI-CAPRI process, in comparison to conventional catalysts |
| Exploitation Route | Work ongoing, but hampered by current falling oil prices. The outputs from this project have proved invaluable in underpinning several ongoing projects on the production of functional biominerals for other areas of science and technology (e.g. catalysis and remediation) |
| Sectors | Energy,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| Title | Scaling up the production of biogenic magnetite nanoparticles, supplement to: Byrne, James M; Muhamadali, H; Coker, V S; Cooper, J; Lloyd, J R (2015): Scale-up of the production of highly reactive biogenic magnetite nanoparticles using Geobacter sulfurreducens. Journal of The Royal Society Interface, 12(107), 20150240 |
| Description | Although there are numerous examples of large-scale commercial microbial synthesis routes for organic bioproducts, few studies have addressed the obvious potential for microbial systems to produce inorganic functional biomaterials at scale. Here we address this by focusing on the production of nano-scale biomagnetite particles by the Fe(III)-reducing bacterium Geobacter sulfurreducens, which was scaled-up successfully from lab-scale to pilot plant-scale production, whilst maintaining the surface reactivity and magnetic properties which make this material well suited to commercial exploitation. At the largest scale tested, the bacterium was grown in a 50 L bioreactor, harvested and then inoculated into a buffer solution containing Fe(III)-oxyhydroxide and an electron donor and mediator, which promoted the formation of magnetite in under 24 hours. This procedure was capable of producing up to 120 g biomagnetite. The particle size distribution was maintained between 10 and 15 nm during scale-up of this second step from 10 ml to 10 L, with conserved magnetic properties and surface reactivity; the latter demonstrated by the reduction of Cr(VI). The process presented provides an environmentally benign route to magnetite production and serves as an alternative to harsher synthetic techniques, with the clear potential to be used to produce kg to tonne quantities. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2015 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Description | JRL gave Pint of Science talk, 17th MAY 2017 Bluu Smithfield Market Hall |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Approx 50 general public attended Pint of Science talk, 17th MAY 2017 Bluu Smithfield Market Hall on microbes in the environment (one of three speakers) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | School visit, Winchester |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | JRL gave talk to 6th form students at Peter Symonds College, Winchester. Feedback positive ... better engagement with environmental science/geomicrobiology |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |