Microbial Energy Conversion

The book provides an overview on various microorganisms and their industrialization in energy conversion, such as ethanol fermentation, butanol fermentation, biogas fermentation and fossil energy conversion. It also covers microbial oil production, hydrogen production and electricity generation. The content is up to date and suits well for both researchers and industrial audiences.

Microbial Energy Conversion documents the proceedings of a seminar in Gottingen in October 1976. This book discusses the potential of microorganisms to use solar energy or convert biomass produced by solar energy in such a way that new microbial energy sources can supplement or partially replace conventional sources. This compilation reviews biomass production and elaborates on in detail the microbial processes that are involved in the conversion of the primary biomass—either freshly harvested or disposed of as waste—into energy sources that are similar to hydrogen, methane, propane, gasoline, Diesel oil, methanol, ethanol, or electricity. The microbial processes that contribute to the development of known energy resources, such as mining of low grade ores of copper, zinc, and uranium; reclamation of oil from oil shale; and recovery of conventional and heavy oil and gas, are also deliberated. This text likewise elaborates on the study of photosynthetic enzyme systems, hydrogenase, immobilization of enzymes and pigments on membranes, and construction of artificial photosynthetic units. This book is beneficial to students and researchers conducting work on microbial energy conversion.

This book discusses recent trends and developments in the microbial conversion process, which serves as an important route for biofuel production, with particular attention to bioreactors. It combines microbial conversion with multiphase flow and mass transfer, providing an alternative perspective for the understanding of microbial biomass and energy production process as well as enhancement strategy. This book is relevant to students and researchers who work in the fields of renewable energy, engineering and biotechnology. Policymakers, economists and industry engineers also benefit from this book, as it can be used as a resource for the implementation of renewable energy technologies.