Summary
New solar energy technologies for the production of biomass for the purpose of synthesizing methane, hydrogen and proteins could be based on the solar generation of the inorganic energy source (Fe2+, metal sulfides) of chemoautotrophic bacteria (Thiobacilli). The resulting energy cycle is identical with the life sustaining processes coupled to black smokers in the deep sea with the difference that solar energy replaces geothermal energy. Progress and difficulties are discussed for energy and fuel generation on the basis of a solar driven sulfur cycle involving sulfate reduction using solar energy and sulfide oxidation by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans. The rate determining steps for catalysis of sulfate reduction and interfacial oxidation of sulfides are discussed. The potential advantages of this energy cycle for space exploration, terrestrial carbon dioxide fixation and technologies for energy and material production are outlined.
Zusammenfassung
Neue Solarenergie-Techniken zur Produktion von Biomasse, mit dem Zweck der Methan-, Wasserstoff-und Protein-Gewinnung, könnten basieren auf einer solar erzeugten anorganischen Energiequelle (Fe2+, Metallsulfide) für chemoautotrophe Bakterien (Thiobazillen). Der resultierende Energiezyklus ist identisch mit einem Prozeß in der Tiefsee, welcher dort als lebenserhaltender Prozeß gekoppelt an kleine Schlote (“black smoker”) abläuft; der Unerschied ist, daß in diesem Energiezyklus die Solarenegie die geothermische Energie ersetzt. Fortschritte und Schwierigkeiten werden beschrieben für Energie- und Brennstofferzeugung auf der Basis eines solar betriebenen Schwefel-Zyklus. Der Zyklus beinhaltet Sulfatreduktion durch solare Energie und die anschließende Oxidation der Sulfide durch Thiobacillus ferrooxidans. Die geschwindigkeitsbestimmenden Schritte für die katalytische Sulfatreduktion und die grenzflächengebundene Oxidation der Sulfide werden diskutiert. Die potentiellen Vorteile dieses Energiezyklus für die Raumfahrt, für terrestrische Kohledioxidfixierung und für Technologien zur Energieumwandlung und zur Materialproduktion werden angesprochen.
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Bärtels, C.C., Tributsch, H. (1991). Solar Thermal Energy Cycle Based on Sulfur and Sulfide Oxidizing Bacteria. In: Becker, M., Funken, KH., Schneider, G. (eds) Solar Thermal Energy Utilization. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-52342-7_9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-52342-7_9
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