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Advances in the biological treatment of coal for synthetic natural gas and chemicals

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Abstract

Coal, the most primitive fossil fuel, has been exploited for ages, and reserves dictate the economies of many countries. Presently, most energy is generated by direct combustion, raising concerns over global warming. Biological pretreatment of fossil resources and generation of alternative green energy can address the environmental issues associated with global coal utilization. Biological coal treatment can produce industrially important chemicals and bio-methane by employing microorganisms able to depolymerize/degrade coal. This review discusses current advances in microbial coal conversion, such as the efforts made to comprehend microbial processes, significant outputs of coal conversion, principle components responsible for coal conversion, and factors affecting the biological processes to convert coal. Development of these biological processes can be a stepping stone for greener coal; however, integration of multidisciplinary technologies is needed to increase the efficiency of economic coal utilization and production of economically and industrially feasible biomethane.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clean Fuel Department, Korea Institute of Energy Research, 152 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34129, Korea

    Pamidimarri D.V.N. Sudheer, Min-Sik Kim & Jeong Geol Na

  2. Department of Environmental Engineering and Energy, Myongji University, 116 Myongji-ro, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggido, 17058, Korea

    Yokimiko David, Cheol Gi Chae, You Jin Kim, Mary Grace Baylon, Kei-Anne Baritugo & Si Jae Park

  3. Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, 787 Haean-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggido, 15627, Korea

    Tae Wan Kim

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  1. Pamidimarri D.V.N. Sudheer
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  2. Yokimiko David
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  3. Cheol Gi Chae
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  8. Min-Sik Kim
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Correspondence to Jeong Geol Na or Si Jae Park.

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Pamidimarri D.V.N. Sudheer and Yokimiko David contributed equally to this work.

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Sudheer, P.D., David, Y., Chae, C.G. et al. Advances in the biological treatment of coal for synthetic natural gas and chemicals. Korean J. Chem. Eng. 33, 2788–2801 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11814-016-0225-0

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