화학공학소재연구정보센터
홈 로그인 로그아웃 연락처 사이트맵
Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering, Vol.33, No.10, 2788-2801, October, 2016
DOI10.1007/s11814-016-0225-0  Export Citation
Advances in the biological treatment of coal for synthetic natural gas and chemicals
Pamidimarri D.V.N. Sudheer, Yokimiko David1, Cheol Gi Chae1, You Jin Kim1, Mary Grace Baylon1, Kei-Anne Baritugo1, Tae Wan Kim2, Min-Sik Kim, Jeong Geol Na†, and Si Jae Park1, †
  • Clean Fuel Department, Korea Institute of Energy Research, 152 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34129, Korea
  • 1Department of Environmental Engineering and Energy, Myongji University, 116 Myongji-ro, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggido 17058, Korea
  • 2Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, 787 Haean-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggido 15627, Korea
E-mail:,
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.
Keywords:Coal;Coal Biodegradation;Coal Depolymerization;Biological Treatment;Biomethane
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