During his PhD studies, Simon investigated the use of pure culture thermophilic and hyperthermophilic methanogenic archaea to enhance methane production rates in biomethanation systems. These methanogens convert CO₂ and H₂ into CH₄, thus representing a promising Power-to-X technology for the utilization and storage of surplus renewable energy. His research focused on how to cultivate and stabilize hyperthermophilic Methanococcales, whose optimal growth temperatures (80–88 °C) are expected to improve H₂ gas-liquid mass transfer rates and thereby increase methane production rates in biomethanation systems.

This interdisciplinary work advances the understanding of the physiological requirements of hyperthermophilic Methanococcales and provides a foundation for future development of hyperthermophilic biomethanation systems.

The PhD study was completed at Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University.

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Monday, 7. July at 10:00
Place: Building 1427, room 246 (M2), Konferencecenter, Aarhus University, Fredrik Nielsens Vej 4, 8000 Aarhus C
Title of PhD thesis: Towards Hyperthermophilic Biomethanation: How to Keep Your Methanococcales Alive (and Productive)
Contact information: Simon Fruergaard, e-mail: Sfruergaard@bce.au.dk, tel.: +45 22211227
Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Birgitte Ahring, Biological Systems Engineering, Washington State University, USA
Privatdozent Simon K.-M.R. Rittmann, Department für Funktionelle und Evolutionäre Ökologie, University of Vienna, Austria
Associate Professor Bekir Engin Eser (chair), Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Denmark
Main supervisor: Professor Lars Ditlev Mørck Ottosen, Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Denmark
Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English

The defence is public.
The PhD thesis is available for reading at the Graduate School of Technical Sciences/GSTS, Ny Munkegade 120, building 1521, 8000 Aarhus C.