Assessment of PVA Granules for Immobilizing Hydrogenotrophic Methanogens in Batch Biogas Upgrading Systems

Author : Joan Clotet Garcia

Abstract :Power-to-Gas (PtG) strategies aim to convert surplus renewable electricity into storable energy carriers such as hydrogen (H2 ) or methane (CH4). Within this framework, Power-to-Methane (PtM) offers a promising route by biologically converting H2 and carbon dioxide (CO2) into synthetic natural gas via biomethanation (BM), driven by methanogenic archaea. Despite its sustainability, BM faces several technological limitations, including the poor solubility of H2 and CO2 in water, low growth rates of hydrogenotrophic methanogens, susceptibility to biomass washout, and mass transfer limitations that hinder overall process efficiency. To overcome these constraints, this study evaluates the use of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based granules to immobilize hydrogenotrophic methanogens (HM) for enhanced biogas upgrading under batch conditions. Immobilization improves biomass retention, protects microbial communities from environmental fluctuations, and enables easier handling and reuse in reactor systems

Keywords :Biomethanation, Hydrogenotrophic methanogens, Immobilization, Biogas upgrading, Power-to Methane

Conference Name :International Conference on Biogas Science and Technology (ICBSAT-25)

Conference Place Bali, Indonesia

Conference Date 24th Jun 2025