- This event has passed.
Bio e-methane from CO2 and green H2
3 October 2023 @ 16:30 - 17:45
The appointment with the second cycle of PhDTalks is beginning. The first seminar will take place on Tuesday, October 3rd, in room Fassò (Building 4A), from 4:30 PM to 5:45 PM.
PhDTalks is a series of seminars and discussions between PhD students. The events are aimed at providing a place to network and get in contact with many of the projects developed in our department.
Speaker Anna Santus will talk about “Bio e-methane from CO2 and green H2”.
At the end of each event a small refreshment funded by the department will be available.
You can watch the event online by clicking here.
Abstract
Climate change will have negative effects on human health, economics, the environment, flora and fauna presence on the planet. For these reasons, the necessity to find and use renewable energy sources, such as bio e-methane, is compelling. Bio e-methane can be generated by reducing carbon dioxide (CO2), a well-known greenhouse gas, and green hydrogen (H2), through a biological process mediated by hydrogenotrophic methanogens (Archaea). The bio e-methane generated can be directly injected in the national natural gas grid and/or it can be used as a fuel in the transportation sector. During the PhD project, both experimental and modelling activities of this biological process have been conducted. Experimental analysis, carried out in batch and continuous operation, have allowed to identify the microorganisms maximum velocity, the optimal reactor configuration and also inhibition factors/nutrients deficiency. Modelling activities have validated experimental data collected and, helped understanding physical aspect of gas-liquid mass of H2. Some noteworthy results achieved include: i) cultivation of hydrogenotrophic methanogens; ii) the development of a method for measuring the specific velocity of microorganisms (SHMA); iii) implementation of a model for the biological process. Looking ahead, further insights into H2 gas-liquid mass transfer are needed to optimize the process, as it remains a key aspect of this biological process.
Speaker’s bio
Anna is a PhD student in Environmental and Infrastructure Engineering (36th cycle) at Politecnico di Milano. She has a Master of Science in Environmental and Land Planning Engineering obtained in 2019 at Politecnico di Milano. Her research activities are focused on anaerobic digestion processes and biological biogas upgrading. In her free time, Anna loves playing soccer and hiking.