Probing efficient microbial CO2 utilisation through metabolic and process modelling

Abstract

Acetogenic gas fermentation is increasingly studied as a promising technology to upcycle carbon-rich waste gasses. Currently the product range is limited, and production yields, rates and titres for a number of interesting products do not allow for economically viable processes. By pairing process modelling and host-agnostic metabolic modelling, we compare fermentation conditions and various products to optimise the processes. The models were then used in a simulation of an industrial-scale bubble column reactor. We find that increased temperatures favour gas transfer rates, particularly for the valuable and limiting H2, while furthermore predicting an optimal feed composition of 9:1 mol H2 to mol CO2. Metabolically, the increased non-growth associated maintenance requirements of thermophiles favours the formation of catabolic products. To assess the expansion of the product portfolio beyond acetate, both a product volatility analysis and a metabolic pathway model were implemented. In-situ recovery of volatile products is shown to be within range for acetone but challenging due to the extensive evaporation of water, while the direct production of more valuable compounds by acetogens is metabolically unfavourable compared to acetate and ethanol. We discuss alternative approaches to overcome these challenges to utilise acetogenic CO2 fixation to produce a wider range of carbon negative chemicals.