Determine the biomass cell yield Y for the biological oxidat

Determine the biomass (cell) yield (Y) for the biological oxidation of hydrogen
(as H2) by CO2 for microbes that can utilize H2 and CO2. Express your answer as
Grams of biomass (cells) per gram of H2

Solution

Biological oxidation of Hdrogen produces water molecules. The reaction is following:

H₂ + CO₂ = H₂O +2C             [equation 1]

1 mol of hydrogen yields one mol of water and two moles of carbon, on combining with one mol of carbon dioxide.

Total biomass of cell = molecular weight of products = H₂O +2C = 18 + 24 = 44

1mol of hydrogen = 2 grams

Therefore, one gram of hydrogen yields 22 [44/2] grams of biomass. Biomass is 22 grams per gram of hydrogen.