Short Summary
Energy Production
from Bulk Wastewater Using Optimized Supersynthetic Bacteria
Dr. Eric McFarland
99-36
EISG Project Title: Energy Production from Bulk
Wastewater Using Optimized Supersynthetic Bacteria
EISG Grant Number: 99-36
PIER Area: Renewable Energy Technologies
Principal Investigator: Eric McFarland
Contact Information: (805) 893-4343 mcfar@engineering.ucsb.edu
Organization: UC Santa Barbara.
Grant Amount: $75,000
Grant Term: 18 Months
Project Description:
The purpose of this project is to research the feasibility of producing wastewater microorganisms capable of efficient biosynthesis of hydrogen gas. The most promising microorganisms will be cultured and tested in a prototype sub-scale anaerobic digester.
Proposed Outcomes:
· Combinatorial methodology for screening microorganisms capable of optimal H2 production.
· Prototype bench top digester/bioreactor.
· Feasibility analysis based on performance testing of selected microorganisms in prototype bioreactor.
Anticipated Benefits:
· Demonstrate the effectiveness of combinatorial methodology in the screening of numerous genetically diverse mutant microorganisms for optimal H2 production.
· Increase H2 production from wastewater anaerobic digesters to a level that makes power generation commercially viable.