Katherine H. Rostkowski

Distribution and selection of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate production capacity in methanotrophic proteobacteria.

Methanotrophs are known to produce poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), but there is conflicting evidence in the literature as to which genera produce the polymer. We screened type I and II proteobacterial methanotrophs that use the ribulose monophosphate and serine pathways for carbon assimilation, respectively, for both phaC, which encodes for PHB synthase, and the ability to produce PHB under nitrogen-limited conditions. Twelve strains from six different genera were evaluated. All type I strains tested negative for phaC and PHB production; all Type II strains tested positive for phaC and PHB production. In order to identify conditions that favor PHB production, we also evaluated a range of selection conditions using a diverse activated sludge inoculum. Use of medium typically recommended for methanotroph enrichment led to enrichments dominated by type I methanotrophs. Conditions that were selected for enrichments dominated by PHB-producing Type II methanotrophs were: (1) use of nitrogen gas as the sole nitrogen source in the absence of copper, (2) use of a dilute mineral salts media in the absence of copper, and (3) use of media prepared at pH values of 4–5.

Cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment for a cradle-to-cradle cycle: biogas-to-bioplastic (and back).

At present, most synthetic organic materials are produced from fossil carbon feedstock that is regenerated over time scales of millions of years. Biobased alternatives can be rapidly renewed in cradle-to-cradle cycles (1-10 years). Such materials extend landfill life and decrease undesirable impacts due to material persistence. This work develops a LCA for synthesis of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) from methane with subsequent biodegradation of PHB back to biogas (40-70% methane, 30-60% carbon dioxide). The parameters for this cradle-to-cradle cycle for PHB production are developed and used as the basis for a cradle-to-gate LCA. PHB production from biogas methane is shown to be preferable to its production from cultivated feedstock due to the energy and land required for the feedstock cultivation and fermentation. For the PHB-methane cycle, the major challenges are PHB recovery and demands for energy. Some or all of the energy requirements can be satisfied using renewable energy, such as a portion of the collected biogas methane. Oxidation of 18-26% of the methane in a biogas stream can meet the energy demands for aeration and agitation, and recovery of PHB synthesized from the remaining 74-82%. Effective coupling of waste-to-energy technologies could thus conceivably enable PHB production without imported carbon and energy.

Selection of Type I and Type II methanotrophic proteobacteria in a fluidized bed reactor under non-sterile conditions

Type II methanotrophs produce polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), while Type I methanotrophs do not. A laboratory-scale fluidized bed reactor was initially inoculated with a Type II Methylocystis-like dominated culture. At elevated levels of dissolved oxygen (DO, 9 mg/L), pH of 6.2-6.5 with nitrate as the N-source, a Methylobacter-like Type I methanotroph became dominant within the biofilms which did not produce PHB. A shift to biofilms capable of PHB production was achieved by re-inoculating with Type II Methylosinus culture, providing dissolved N(2) as the N-source, and maintaining a low influent DO (2.0mg/L). The resulting biofilms contained both Types I and II methanotrophs. Batch tests indicated that biofilm samples grown with N(2) became dominated by Type II methanotrophs and produced PHB. Enrichments with nitrate or ammonium were dominated by Type I methanotrophs without PHB production capability. The key selection factors favoring Type II were N(2) as N-source and low DO.

Stoichiometry and kinetics of the PHB-producing Type II methanotrophs Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b and Methylocystis parvus OBBP.

In this study, modeling is used to describe how oxygen and nitrogen source affect the stoichiometry and kinetics of growth and PHB production in the Type II methanotrophs Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b and Methylocystis parvus OBBP. Significant differences were observed, with major implications for the use of these species in biotechnology applications. Such analyses can better inform bioreactor design, scale-up models, and life cycle assessments (LCAs).

Use of on-site bioreactors to estimate the biotransformation rate of N-ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamidoethanol (N-EtFOSE) during activated sludge treatment

Accurate rates are needed for models that predict the fate of xenobiotic chemicals and impact of inhibitors at full-scale wastewater treatment plants. On-site rates for aerobic biotransformation of N-ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamidoethanol (N-EtFOSE), a fluorinated repellent, were determined by continuously pumping mixed liquor from an aeration basin into two well-mixed acrylic bioreactors (4-L) operated in parallel. Known masses of N-EtFOSE and bromide were continuously added to the reactors. Reactor effluents were then monitored for bromide, N-EtFOSE, and metabolites of N-EtFOSE. Of the six transformation products reported in batch studies, only N-ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamido acetate (N-EtFOSAA) was detected in the effluents. Bromide addition to the reactors enabled rate estimates despite variations in flow rate. Pseudo-second order rate coefficients for the N-EtFOSE biotransformation to N-EtFOSAA, predicted using a dynamic model of the reactor system, were k=2.0 and 2.4Lg(-1)VSSd(-1) for the two reactors, which are slower than the rates previously obtained using batch reactors. Given the relatively slow rate of N-EtFOSE transformation, its sorption and volatilization may be important in wastewater processes. The methodology used in this study should be suitable for similar on-site rate assessments with other contaminants or inhibitors.

Nuclear-Driven Copper-Based Hybrid Thermo/Electro Chemical Cycle for Hydrogen Production

With a worldwide need for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, hydrogen gas has become a primary focus of energy researchers as a promising substitute of nonrenewable energy sources. For instance, use of hydrogen gas in fuel cells has received special technological interest particularly from the transportation sector, which is presently dominated by fuel oil. It is not only gaseous hydrogen that is in demand, but the need for liquid hydrogen is growing as well. For example, the aerospace industry uses liquid hydrogen as fuel for space shuttles. The use of liquid hydrogen during a single space shuttle launch requires about 15,000 gallons per minute, which is equivalent to about forty-five hydrogen trailers, each with 13,000 gallons capacity. The hydrogen required to support a single Mars mission would be at least ten times that required for one space shuttle launch. In this work, we provide mass and energy balances, major equipment sizing, and costing of a hybrid CuO-CuSO4 plant with 1000 MW (≈ 30,240 kg/hr) H2 production capacity. With a 90% annual availability factor, the estimated hydrogen production rate is about 238,412 tons annually, the predicted plant efficiency is about 36%, and the estimated hydrogen production cost is about

Anthropogenic Nickel Cycle: Insights into Use, Trade, and Recycling

4.0/kg (not including storage and transportation costs). In addition to hydrogen production, the proposed plant generates oxygen gas as a byproduct with an estimated flowrate of about 241,920 kg/hr (equivalent to ≈ 1,907,297 tons annually). We also propose a novel technology for separating SO2 and SO3 from O2 using a battery of redundant fixed-bed reactors containing CuO impregnated in porous alumina (Al2 O3 ). This technology accommodates online regeneration of the CuO. Other practical approaches for gaseous separation are also examined including use of ceramic membranes, liquefaction, and regenerable wet scrubbing with slurried magnesium oxide or solutions of sodium salts such as sodium sulfite and sodium hydroxide. Finally, we discuss the applicability of high-temperature nuclear reactors as an ideal fit to providing thermal energy and electricity required for operating the hybrid thermochemical plant with high overall system efficiency.Copyright