Integration of direct air capture and biomethanation for decentralized fuel production

“Power-to-gas” concepts are attracting interest in the production of renewable fuels. A key product is renewable methane as an alternative to oil or natural gas. CO2 (captured from the air) and H2 (from water electrolysis with renewable electricity) can be converted to renewable methane through a microbial reaction known as hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis. Due to the low solubility of H2 in water, one of the main challenges in methanogenesis is mass transfer limitation of H2. This research project uses a membrane-biofilm interface as a H2 supply strategy. Integration with an electrochemical direct air capture process enables sustainable methane production.