Clay enhancement of methane, low molecular weight hydrocarbon and halocarbon conversion by methanotrophic bacteria

Abstract

An apparatus and method for increasing the rate of oxidation of toxic vapors by methanotrophic bacteria. The toxic vapors of interest are methane and trichloroethylene. The apparatus includes a gas phase bioreactor within a closed loop pumping system or a single pass system. The methanotrophic bacteria include Methylomonas methanica, Methylosinus trichosporium, and uncharacterized environmental enrichments.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Apparatus for removal of a methane vapor within a gas comprising: a. a bioreactor container closed to the atmosphere having a plurality of carrier means, said carrier means coated with a methanotrophic bacteria culture and a kaolin clay;   b. a conduit means connecting a bioreactor container outlet to a gas pump;   c. a second conduit means connecting the gas pump to a bioreactor container lower portion;   d. a gas sample means connecting to the second conduit means; and   e. a humidifying salt solution within the bioreactor container lower portion, wherein the gas is circulated through the salt solution and carrier means by the gas pump so as to remove the methane vapor from the gas.   
     
     
       2. Apparatus for removal of a methane vapor within a gas comprising: a. bioreactor container closed to the atmosphere having a plurality of carrier rings, said carrier rings coated with a culture of methanotropic bacteria and kaolin clay, wherein the kaolin clay is coated on the carrier rings from a salts solution having a kaolin clay concentration of 0.004% to 4% w/v;   b. a conduit connecting a bioreactor container outlet to a gas pump;   c. a second conduit connecting the gas pump to a lower part of the bioreactor container;   d. a gas sample valve connecting to the second conduit means; and   e. a humidifying salt solution within the lower part of the bioreactor container, wherein the gas is circulated through the salt solution and carrier means by the gas pump so as to remove the methane vapor from the gas.