COSHIFT. Development of a novel fermentation process by transforming biomass syngas to produce biohydrogen

Since 99% of the H2 consumed currently comes from fossil fuels and 1% from water electrolysis, this project aims to develop a renewable H2 production process through biological conversion of CO from synthesis gas obtained by biomass gasification. The project focuses on the following points:

• Selection of suitable microorganisms for H2 production at industrial level.
• H2 production from biomass syngas at laboratory scale and, subsequently, at pilot scale.
• Development of advanced technology for separation and capture of CO2 from fermentation gas for generation of green H2.

For the green production of H2, CENER proposes an innovative biotechnological route based on the selection of microorganisms capable of efficiently converting CO2 into H2. To do so, the following tasks will be required:

• Identification of industrial and natural environments in Navarra with potential microorganisms.
• Isolation and adaptation of microorganisms to culture media and substrate gas.
• Biological production at laboratory scale to optimize operating conditions and gather information for subsequent scaling.
• Biological production tests in a 10L trickle bed bioreactor (TBR) to optimize operating conditions and maximize yields and productivity.
• Process balance and techno-economic analysis.