ENERGY PRODUCTION WITH HYPERTHERMOPHILIC ORGANISMS
The present invention relates to the field of degradation with hyperthermophilic organisms, and in particular to the use of hyperthermophilic degradation to produce heat from a biomass. In some embodiments, a biomass is fermented in the presence of hyperthermophilic organisms to produce heat. The heat is used to heat a liquid which is used directly in a heat pump or radiant heat or to produce electricity or drive a steam turbine.
1 . A method comprising:
a) providing a biomass selected from the group consisting of a food waste biomass and a sewage sludge biomass and a population of hyperthermophilic Thermatoga spp.;
b) degrading said biomass in the presence of said population of hyperthermophilic Thermatoga spp. at a temperature of above 80° C. under conditions such that degradation products are produced.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said degradation products are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and acetate.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of converting said degradation products into energy.
4 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising using said hydrogen in a fuel cell.
5 . A method for reducing carbon dioxide emissions comprising:
a) providing a biomass selected from the group consisting of a food waste biomass and a sewage sludge biomass and a population of hyperthermophilic Thermatoga spp.;
b) anaerobically degrading said biomass in the presence of said population of hyperthermophilic Thermatoga spp. at a temperature of above 80° C. to produce substrates for energy production;
c) producing energy from said substrates, wherein carbon dioxide emissions are reduced as compared to aerobic degradation of said biomass materials.
6 . A method for generating carbon credits comprising:
a) providing a biomass selected from the group consisting of a food waste biomass and a sewage sludge biomass and a population of hyperthermophilic Thermatoga spp.;
b) anaerobically degrading said biomass in the presence of said population of hyperthermophilic Thermatoga spp. at a temperature of above 80° C. to produce substrates for energy production,
c) producing energy from said substrates under conditions such that carbon credits are generated.