MICROBIAL METHANE PRODUCTION USING INTERMEDEIATES PRODUCED FROM THE PHOTOCATALYTIC REFORMING OF LIGNINCELLULOSICS

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Low value biomass such as corn stover and wood chips, are useful feedstocks for producing hydrogen, methane and ethanol; however, pretreatment is required to liberate the celluloses and hemi-celluloses fractions. The remaining lignin, a low value fraction, is not biodegradable. The objective of the proposed work is to develop a route for converting lignin into methane, a value-added product. Converting lignin into biodegradable chemicals can be accomplished using photocatalysts such as titanium dioxide (TiO2) as well as TiO2 modified with cerium dioxide (CeO2) or TiO2 modified with CeO2 plus graphene, a crystalline form of carbon. After photocatalysis, a feedstock containing short chain carbon compounds (biodegradable chemicals) will be converted into methane by dark fermentation using mixed anaerobic microorganisms.