Patent ID: 8198055

Claim:
A bioconversion process for converting a feed gas comprising at least one of CO or a mixture of CO 2 and H 2 to a liquid product, said process comprising: a) providing a membrane comprising at least two layers and having a microporous layer and a liquid impermeable layer with one side of each layer defining opposing inner faces and the opposite side of each layer defining an outer face, wherein the outer face of the microporous layer provides a biofilm support surface and the outer face of the liquid impermeable layer provides a gas contacting side in contact with the feed gas for transferring said feed gas across the liquid impermeable layer to the microporous layer and across the microporous layer to the biofilm support surface; b) passing the feed gas through the membrane starting from the liquid impermeable layer and ending at the biofilm support surface; c) maintaining the outer surface of the microporous layer in a liquid and supporting and growing a biofilm comprising anaerobic microorganisms on the microporous layer; d) converting the feed gas to liquid products by contact with the microorganisms; e) maintaining the feed gas at sufficient pressure above the pressure of the liquid at the outer face of the microporous layer to retain pockets of gas in pores of the microporous layer and to displace liquid from the pores and prevent liquid from entering the pores; and, f) recovering liquid products from the liquid.