Scientists turn carbon dioxide into clean green fuel with 96% purity

Scientists at the Norwegian Institute of BIOeconomy Research (NIBIO) have developed a biofilm-based process to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) gases into biomethane with 96% purity, offering a green and sustainable alternative to natural gas. Biofilms—communities of microorganisms embedded in a slimy matrix—enable efficient gas processing by increasing the surface area for reactions. Unlike traditional biogas plants that rely on matter decomposition, these biofilm reactors can handle various gas streams and produce higher-purity methane. The team used Anaerobic Moving Bed Biofilm Reactors (AnMBBR) to overcome challenges posed by impurities like hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and ammonia, common in industrial gas streams, achieving stable methane production even at high H2S levels. Beyond methane, the researchers explored biofilm applications in producing syngas (hydrogen and carbon monoxide) from unconventional substrates such as woody biomass and plastic waste, which are typically resistant