Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

David Midgley

Philip Hendry

A nutrient composition for enhancing biogenic methane production from a carbonaceous material is described. The nutrient composition comprises a source of phosphorus (P) and a source of nitrogen (N), wherein the molar ratio of phosphorus to nitrogen (P/N) is greater than 1.5, and the nitrogen concentration is at least 0.1 m M and less than 1.7 m M. A process for enhancing biogenic methane production from a carbonaceous material is also described. The process involves contacting the nutrient composition of the invention with the carbonaceous material for a period of time to biogenically produce methane and subsequently collecting methane from the carbonaceous material. The process may further comprise contacting the carbonaceous material with a second nutrient composition, wherein the second nutrient composition has a P/N molar ratio greater than the P/N molar ratio of the former nutrient composition.

Process for enhancing biogenic methane production from a carbonaceous material using a nutrient composition with low nitrogen/high phosphorus concentrations

A nutrient combination for enhancing biogenic methane production from a carbonaceous material is described. The nutrient combination comprises a source of phosphorus (P) and gaseous nitrogen (N). The nutrient combination is preferably substantially fee of gaseous oxygen and/or gaseous NOand/or SO. In various embodiments the nutrient combination may comprise a two-phase mixture of a solution of the soluble source of phosphorus (P) and gaseous nitrogen (N). A process for enhancing biogenic methane production from a carbonaceous material is also described. The process involves dispersing the nutrient combination of the invention throughout the carbonaceous material for a period of time to biogenically produce methane and subsequently collecting methane from the carbonaceous material.

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Berowa, Australia

David Midgley