Methanothermobacter Thermautotrophicus Strain and Variants Thereof

Abstract

Provided herein is an isolated Methanothermobacter microorganism that is (a) a microorganism of Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus strain UC 120910, deposited on Dec. 21, 2010, with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) under ATCC® Patent Deposit Designation No. PTA-11561, (b) a variant of the microorganism of Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus strain UC 120910, or (c) a progeny of the microorganism of Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus strain UC 120910, wherein the variant or progeny retains the phenotypic characteristics of the microorganism of Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus strain UC 120910. Also provided herein is a substantially pure culture or monoculture comprising the Methanothermobacter microorganism of the disclosure. A system for converting electric power into methane, comprising a biological reactor having at least a cathode, an anode, a presently disclosed Methanothermobacter microorganism, water, and carbon dioxide, and method of using the system for converting electricity into methane are further provided herein.

1 .- 134 . (canceled) 
     
     
         135 . A method of producing a microorganism, said method comprising culturing a microorganism of  Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus  strain UC 120910, deposited on Dec. 21, 2010, with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC®) under ATCC® Patent Deposit Designation No. PTA-11561 in a bioreactor, wherein a gas mixture comprising hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide gas is supplied to the bioreactor. 
     
     
         136 . A microorganism produced by the method of  claim 135 , wherein the microorganism produced by the method retains the methane production efficiency per molecule of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) of the microorganism of ATCC® Patent Deposit Designation No. PTA-11561, which is at least or about 25 CO 2  molecules converted to methane per CO 2  molecule converted to cellular material. 
     
     
         137 . A large-scale culture which is ready for use in methane production comprising at least or about 1000 L of a culture at a density of at least or about 6 g dry weight cell/L culture of an isolated  Methanothermobacter  microorganism that is
 (a) a microorganism of  Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus  strain UC 120910, deposited on Dec. 21, 2010, with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC®) under ATCC® Patent Deposit Designation No. PTA-11561,   (b) a variant of (a), or   (c) a progeny of (a),   wherein the variant or progeny retains the CO 2  conversion phenotypic characteristics of (a).   
     
     
         138 . The large-scale culture of  claim 137 , wherein the microorganism:
 a. returns to at least 80% of the methane productivity level in the operating state within 20 minutes, after an exposure of at least 10 minutes to oxygen (e.g. oxygen in ambient air) or carbon monoxide.   b. exhibits the methane production efficiency while exhibiting a doubling time of at least or about 72 hours.   c. exhibits the methane production efficiency for at least 30 days.   d. survives in a stationary phase or a nearly stationary phase having a doubling time of at least or about 72 hours for at least 30 days.   e. returns to at least 80% of the methane productivity level in the operating state within 20 minutes of re-supplying hydrogen or electricity, after being in a dormant state for at least 2 hours as induced by interrupting or ceasing hydrogen supply or electricity.   
     
     
         139 . A method of producing methane from carbon dioxide, comprising
 supplying carbon dioxide and a source of reducing power to a bioreactor comprising   (A) microorganisms produced by culturing a microorganism of  Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus  strain UC 120910, deposited on Dec. 21, 2010, with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC®) under ATCC® Patent Deposit Designation No. PTA-11561 in a bioreactor;   (B) a large-scale culture of  claim 137 ;   (C)  Methanothermobacter  microorganisms cultured at a temperature of about 50 degrees C. or higher and a pH of about 8 to about 10 in a culture medium which supports a stationary phase of growth of said microorganisms; or   (D) a combination thereof;   and collecting the methane produced by the microorganisms.   
     
     
         140 . The method of  claim 139 , wherein said microorganisms exhibit a methane production efficiency that is at least or about 25 CO 2  molecules converted to methane per CO 2  molecule converted to cellular material. 
     
     
         141 . The method of  claim 139 , wherein said microorganisms produce at least or about 96 molecules of methane per 100 molecules of carbon dioxide supplied to the microorganisms. 
     
     
         142 . The method of  claim 139 , wherein said microorganisms produce at least or about 17 grams of methane from carbon dioxide per 1 gram of cellular material produced from carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         143 . The method of  claim 139 , wherein said microorganisms are cultured at a temperature of about 50 degrees C. or higher and a pH of about 8 to about 10 or about 8.5 to about 11. 
     
     
         144 . The method of  claim 143 , wherein the microorganisms are cultured at a redox potential below −100 mV. 
     
     
         145 . The method of  claim 139 , wherein the source of reducing power comprises hydrogen. 
     
     
         146 . The method of  claim 139 , wherein the bioreactor has a total capacity of about 750,000 gal. 
     
     
         147 . The method of  claim 139 , wherein the supply of carbon dioxide is carbon dioxide from an industrial process or carbon dioxide from the environment. 
     
     
         148 . The method of  claim 147 , wherein the supply of carbon dioxide from an industrial process comprises air. 
     
     
         149 . The method of  claim 148 , wherein, when the microorganisms are exposed to least 10 minutes to air or carbon monoxide, the microorganisms produce methane at a methane productivity level which is at least 80% of the methane productivity level prior to being exposed to air or carbon dioxide, within 20 minutes. 
     
     
         150 . The method of  claim 140 , wherein the microorganisms exhibit the methane production efficiency while exhibiting a doubling time of at least or about 72 hours. 
     
     
         151 . The method of  claim 140 , wherein the microorganisms exhibit the methane production efficiency for at least 30 days. 
     
     
         152 . The method of  claim 148 , wherein, after being in a dormant state for at least 2 hours as induced by interrupting or ceasing hydrogen supply or electricity the microorganisms produce methane at a methane productivity level which is at least 80% of the methane productivity level prior to being in the dormant state within 20 minutes of re-supplying hydrogen or electricity.