Patent
An isolated microbial consortium is described that includes a first microbial consortium having Thermacetogenium phaeum to metabolize a complex hydrocarbon substrate into metabolic products comprising an acetate compound. The consortium also includes a second microbial consortium having a methanogen to convert the acetate compound into a final product that includes methane. Also, a method of increasing production of materials with enhanced hydrogen content. The method includes isolating Thermacetogenium phaeum from geologic formation water, culturing the isolated Thermacetogenium phaeum to increase the Thermacetogenium phaeum population, and introducing a consortium of the cultured Thermacetogenium phaeum , which may include spores of Thermacetogenium phaeum , into a hydrocarbon formation containing a complex hydrocarbon substrate.
1. A method of increasing production of materials with enhanced hydrogen content, the method comprising:
isolating Thermacetogenium phaeum from geologic formation water;
culturing the isolated Thermacetogenium phaeum to increase the Thermacetogenium phaeum population; and
introducing a consortium comprising the cultured Thermacetogenium phaeum into a hydrocarbon formation containing a complex hydrocarbon substrate.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method comprises causing at least a portion of the cultured Thermacetogenium phaeum to sporulate.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the Thermacetogenium phaeum sporulates by heating the Thermacetogenium phaeum to a temperature of about 120° C.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the Thermacetogenium phaeum sporulates by dehydrating the Thermacetogenium phaeum.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method comprises germinating the spores of the cultured Thermacetogenium phaeum that were introduced to the hydrocarbon formation.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the geologic formation water is taken from the hydrocarbon formation.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein isolating the Thermacetogenium phaeum comprises autoclaving the formation water.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the formation water is autoclaved at about 120° C. for about 20 minutes at about 15 psi.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the formation water is autoclaved in at least three successive cycles.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the isolated Thermacetogenium phaeum is cultured in an environment comprising a growth stimulant.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the growth stimulant is selected from the group consisting of sodium pyruvate.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon formation comprises a mature oil field.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the complex hydrocarbon substrate is selected from the group consisting of oil, oil shale, tar sands, and tar.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the complex hydrocarbon substrate is selected from the group consisting of coal, lignite, peat, or carbonaceous shale.