LLNL 3D prints solid-state bioreactor that turns waste methane into succinate

Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) have built a 3D printed solid-state bioreactor that converts methane into succinate. The team says the compact reactor performs more than 10 times better than conventional liquid-state systems while using less power. The work is published in Scientific Reports.

• Reactor uses 3D printed lattice scaffolds and performs 10x better than liquid systems
• Methane-consuming bacteria embedded in hydrogel walls receive gas directly, no liquid dissolution
• Scaled from 2 milliliters to 1 liter; further scale-up needed before deployment
• Targets small landfills and wastewater plants that currently flare methane