Microbial community and reactor development of microbiological biogas upgrading with external hydrogen supply:a review

Recently, microbiological biogas upgrading with external hydrogen as electron donor attracts researchers' attention for its mild reaction condition and less by-products. The hydrogen gas-liquid mass transfer might be the limiting factor, determining the development and application of this technology. Application of different reactors was found to affect the growth and distribution of hydrogenotrophic Methanogens, the contact way to the substrates and gas-liquid mass transfer rate, thereafter it might influence the process stability and conversion efficiency. In this paper, the reaction mechanism, the basic characteristics of microbial community distribution and operation mode were introduced. The main requirements for the reactors were analyzed. Reactor configurations such as continuous stirred tank reactor, up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket, biofilm reactor and their application were summarized. Finally, suggestions and perspectives were proposed for the further research of the technology and reactor. © 2018, Chemical Industry Press. All right reserved.