Minimizing losses in bio-electrochemical systems: the road to applications

Clauwaert, Peter; Aelterman, Peter; Schamphelaire, Liesje De; Carballa, Marta; Rabaey, Korneel; Verstraete, Willy

doi:10.1007/s00253-008-1522-2

Cited by 386 publications

(186 citation statements)

References 74 publications

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“…This current increase was linked to an increased conductivity of the anode feed, in which the addition of ammonium bicarbonate increased the concentration of ions and thus the conductivity. A higher conductivity decreases ohmic resistance and thus favors current production 13 .…”

Section: Chronoamperometry Results From the Bioreactormentioning

confidence: 99%

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Electrochemically and Bioelectrochemically Induced Ammonium Recovery

Gildemyn

Luther

Andersen

et al. 2015

JoVE

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Streams such as urine and manure can contain high levels of ammonium, which could be recovered for reuse in agriculture or chemistry. The extraction of ammonium from an ammonium-rich stream is demonstrated using an electrochemical and a bioelectrochemical system. Both systems are controlled by a potentiostat to either fix the current (for the electrochemical cell) or fix the potential of the working electrode (for the bioelectrochemical cell). In the bioelectrochemical cell, electroactive bacteria catalyze the anodic reaction, whereas in the electrochemical cell the potentiostat applies a higher voltage to produce a current. The current and consequent restoration of the charge balance across the cell allow the transport of cations, such as ammonium, across a cation exchange membrane from the anolyte to the catholyte. The high pH of the catholyte leads to formation of ammonia, which can be stripped from the medium and captured in an acid solution, thus enabling the recovery of a valuable nutrient. The flux of ammonium across the membrane is characterized at different anolyte ammonium concentrations and currents for both the abiotic and biotic reactor systems. Both systems are compared based on current and removal efficiencies for ammonium, as well as the energy input required to drive ammonium transfer across the cation exchange membrane. Finally, a comparative analysis considering key aspects such as reliability, electrode cost, and rate is made.This video article and protocol provide the necessary information to conduct electrochemical and bioelectrochemical ammonia recovery experiments. The reactor setup for the two cases is explained, as well as the reactor operation. We elaborate on data analysis for both reactor types and on the advantages and disadvantages of bioelectrochemical and electrochemical systems. Video LinkThe video component of this article can be found at

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Section: Chronoamperometry Results From the Bioreactormentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The cell potential relates to the total power necessary to drive the electrochemical cell. For equations and elaboration on this topic, we refer to the review paper by Clauwaert and co-workers 13 .…”

Section: Cell Potentialmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electrochemically and Bioelectrochemically Induced Ammonium Recovery

Gildemyn

Luther

Andersen

et al. 2015

JoVE

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“…These overpotentials represent the amount of energy that is lost in the oxidation reaction. These energetic losses that occur at the anode include: activation energy, microbial energy for growth and maintenance, and ohmic losses (Clauwaert et al 2008a). Some of these losses are influenced by the design of the system and the materials used ), while other energetic losses, like microbial growth and maintenance, are necessary losses to get a well-developed and viable biofilm to produce as much current as possible (Schröder 2007).…”

Section: Decreasing Anode Overpotentialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

New applications and performance of bioelectrochemical systems

Hamelers

Heijne

Sleutels

et al. 2009

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol

249

133

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Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) are emerging technologies which use microorganisms to catalyze the reactions at the anode and/or cathode. BES research is advancing rapidly, and a whole range of applications using different electron donors and acceptors has already been developed. In this mini review, we focus on technological aspects of the expanding application of BESs. We will analyze the anode and cathode half-reactions in terms of their standard and actual potential and report the overpotentials of these half-reactions by comparing the reported potentials with their theoretical potentials. When combining anodes with cathodes in a BES, new bottlenecks and opportunities arise. For application of BESs, it is crucial to lower the internal energy losses and increase productivity at the same time. Membranes are a crucial element to obtain high efficiencies and pure products but increase the internal resistance of BESs. The comparison between production of fuels and chemicals in BESs and in present production processes should gain more attention in future BES research. By making this comparison, it will become clear if the scope of BESs can and should be further developed into the field of biorefineries.

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“…Larger electrode surface areas, more efficient electrode catalysts and higher solution conductivities have been frequently reported to decrease electrode overpotential in MFCs [26][27][28]. In parallel, diffusional resistance in MFC anodes has been moderated by modification of the anode surface with carbon nanoparticles [29] or with the addition of appropriate amounts of a dye [30].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%