A novel All‐in‐One electrolysis electrode and bioreactor enable better study of electrochemical effects and electricity‐aided bioprocesses

Abstract

An autoclavable All‐in‐One electrolysis electrode in a rod shape assembly is developed as a new tool for bioelectrochemical systems and electricity‐aided bioprocesses. It can replace the classic two‐chamber bioelectrochemical system for electrolysis reactions, be inserted into conventional bioreactors and is easily adaptable as electrocatalytic surface or generator of super‐fine bubbles (H2 and O2) for bioconversion processes. Whereas the bioreactor itself functions as the working electrode chamber, a well‐integrated inner counter electrode chamber enables water electrolysis without the normally encountered undesired ion‐transfer effect. The efficiencies of the electrode are characterized and its advantages and usefulness compared to the classic H‐Cell bioelectrochemical system (BES) are demonstrated with glycerol fermentations by Clostridium pasteurianum DSM 525.

Improved electrocompetence and metabolic engineering of Clostridium pasteurianum reveals a new regulation pattern of glycerol fermentation

“…using Clostridia [12][13][14][15][16][17]. Clostridium pasteurianum (C. pasteurianum) stands out owing to its ability to utilize and valorize glycerol by production of PDO and n-butanol [18,19] with completely different patterns from the well-studied C. butyricum for PDO production [20] or C. acetobutylicum for the classic aceton-butanol-ethanol process [21]. Recently, we have studied C. pasteurianum fermentation for butanol production [22,23].…”

Same but different–Scale up and numbering up in electrobiotechnology and photobiotechnology

“…It has also been shown that CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) studies for the “upgraded” bioreactors reveal the mixing conditions within the reactor, so it might be possible to use the knowledge gained from CFD simulations for the scale up of the systems . Recently, developed a single‐chamber BES with a rode‐shaped “All‐in‐One” electrolysis electrode which can be easily inserted into typical bioreactors (e.g. stirred tank and bubble column).…”

“…This is not really a numbering up or a scale up, but rather a kind of optimization of one unit. As an example, the “All‐in‐One” electrode mentioned above could be used to place multiple electrodes into the same bioreactor .…”

“…Recently, [45] developed a single-chamber BES with a rodeshaped "All-in-One" electrolysis electrode which can be easily inserted into typical bioreactors (e.g. stirred tank and bubble column).…”

“…As an example, the [40]. Further reactor designs for electrobiotechnological reactors have been described by [33] "All-in-One" electrode mentioned above could be used to place multiple electrodes into the same bioreactor [45].…”