US EPA

1039929 

Journal Article 

High-rate conversion of methane to methanol by Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b 

Duan, C; Luo, M; Xing, X 

2011 

Yes 

Bioresource Technology
ISSN: 0960-8524
EISSN: 1873-2976 

102 

15 

7349-7353 

English 

21612919 

10.1016/j.biortech.2011.04.096 

WOS:000292668000017 

Methanol was produced from methane with a high conversion rate using a high cell density process with Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b in the presence of a high concentration of phosphate buffer. More than 1.1 g/L methanol accumulated in the reaction media under optimized reaction conditions (17 g dry cell/L, 400 mmol/L phosphate, and 10 mmol/L MgCl(2)) in the presence of 20 mmol/L sodium formate. The conversion rate of methane was over 60%. About 0.95 g/L methanol was produced when the biotransformation was carried out in a membrane aerated reactor into which methane and oxygen were introduced via two separate dense silicone tubing. Our results provide an efficient method and a promising process for high-rate conversion of methane to methanol. 

Bubble free aeration; Membrane; Methane; Methanol; Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b