Date of Award:

5-2025

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Biological Engineering

Committee Chair(s)

Charles Miller

Committee

Charles Miller

Committee

Ron Sims

Committee

Judy Sims

Committee

Joanna Hou

Abstract

Anthropogenic methane emissions contribute to the greenhouse gas profile which is the chief cause of climate change. One significant source of methane emissions is biogas produced from bacteria in wastewater facilities and landfills. Methane rich biogas has the potential to be valorized into high value bioproducts by using methanotrophs (microbes that use methane as their primary carbon source). Methylotuvimicrobium alcaliphilum 20Z was selected for this study as it can generate ectoine when grown in highly saline environments. Ectoine has been proven to have many benefits such as it prevents protein denaturation, it has hydration properties, and is a UV protectant. For these reasons ectoine is used as a cosmetic ingredient valued at approximately $1000 per kg. Previous research has demonstrated that M. alcaliphilum 20Z can be grown in a reactor set-up where methane is bubbled in and ectoine is successfully collected. One of the biggest challenges of methane valorization into ectoine is the low solubility of methane in water, which decreases the availability of it to the methanotrophic culture. This research analyzed factors such as temperature, bubble diameter, and gas input method to determine if the factors had an effect on methane removal. It was determined that all of the considered factors did indeed have an effect on methane removal.

Download

Share

COinS

Copyright for this work is retained by the student. If you have any questions regarding the inclusion of this work in the Digital Commons, please email us at .