Technological advances in CO2 conversion electro-biorefinery: A step toward commercialization

ElMekawy, Ahmed; Hegab, Hanaa M.; Mohanakrishna, Gunda; El-Baz, Ashraf F.; Bulut, Metin; Pant, Deepak

doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2016.03.023

Cited by 174 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…The scalability and economics of MESs has been addressed in several studies and reviews (Foley et al, 2010; Desloover et al, 2012; Logan and Rabaey, 2012; Conrado et al, 2013; Brown et al, 2014; Harnisch et al, 2014; ElMekawy et al, 2016; Zhang and Angelidaki, 2016). Additionally, current legislation concerning whether the CO 2 is obtained from renewable or waste gasses can vary geographically (Daniell et al, 2016; Dürre, 2016).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Energy Efficiency and Productivity Enhancement of Microbial Electrosynthesis of Acetate

2017

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It was hypothesized that a lack of acetogenic biomass (biocatalyst) at the cathode of a microbial electrosynthesis system, due to electron and nutrient limitations, has prevented further improvement in acetate productivity and efficiency. In order to increase the biomass at the cathode and thereby performance, a bioelectrochemical system with this acetogenic community was operated under galvanostatic control and continuous media flow through a reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) foam cathode. The combination of galvanostatic control and the high surface area cathode reduced the electron limitation and the continuous flow overcame the nutrient limitation while avoiding the accumulation of products and potential inhibitors. These conditions were set with the intention of operating the biocathode through the production of H2. Biofilm growth occurred on and within the unmodified RVC foam regardless of vigorous H2 generation on the cathode surface. A maximum volumetric rate or space time yield for acetate production of 0.78 g/Lcatholyte/h was achieved with 8 A/Lcatholyte (83.3 A/m2projected surface area of cathode) supplied to the continuous flow/culture bioelectrochemical reactors. The total Coulombic efficiency in H2 and acetate ranged from approximately 80–100%, with a maximum of 35% in acetate. The overall energy efficiency ranged from approximately 35–42% with a maximum to acetate of 12%.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Energy Efficiency and Productivity Enhancement of Microbial Electrosynthesis of Acetate

2017

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“…The main principles of the microbial electrosynthesis cell are shown in Fig. 2 d. Interestingly, CO 2 can be transformed to methane [37], [38], [175], acetate [37], [38], formate [176] and other compounds [37], [38], [177], [178], [179], [180]. While the feasibility of the process has been shown in several cases, numerous problems have still to be overcome.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbial fuel cells: From fundamentals to applications. A review

Santoro

Arbizzani

Erable

et al. 2017

Journal of Power Sources

1,399

677

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In the past 10–15 years, the microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology has captured the attention of the scientific community for the possibility of transforming organic waste directly into electricity through microbially catalyzed anodic, and microbial/enzymatic/abiotic cathodic electrochemical reactions. In this review, several aspects of the technology are considered. Firstly, a brief history of abiotic to biological fuel cells and subsequently, microbial fuel cells is presented. Secondly, the development of the concept of microbial fuel cell into a wider range of derivative technologies, called bioelectrochemical systems, is described introducing briefly microbial electrolysis cells, microbial desalination cells and microbial electrosynthesis cells. The focus is then shifted to electroactive biofilms and electron transfer mechanisms involved with solid electrodes. Carbonaceous and metallic anode materials are then introduced, followed by an explanation of the electro catalysis of the oxygen reduction reaction and its behavior in neutral media, from recent studies. Cathode catalysts based on carbonaceous, platinum-group metal and platinum-group-metal-free materials are presented, along with membrane materials with a view to future directions. Finally, microbial fuel cell practical implementation, through the utilization of energy output for practical applications, is described.

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“…Electromethanogenesis provides a new way to store electrical energy in a stable form as “carbon-neutral” methane [18,42,124], becoming an attractive technology for bio-methane production and renewable energy storage integration [18,22,125,126,127]. Furthermore, the process enhances the role of BESs within the waste biorefinery concept for the production of biofuels and chemicals [128,129,130].…”

Section: Applications Of Electromethanogenesismentioning

confidence: 99%

On the Edge of Research and Technological Application: A Critical Review of Electromethanogenesis

Blasco-Gómez

Batlle-Vilanova

Villano

et al. 2017

IJMS

171

103

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The conversion of electrical current into methane (electromethanogenesis) by microbes represents one of the most promising applications of bioelectrochemical systems (BES). Electromethanogenesis provides a novel approach to waste treatment, carbon dioxide fixation and renewable energy storage into a chemically stable compound, such as methane. This has become an important area of research since it was first described, attracting different research groups worldwide. Basics of the process such as microorganisms involved and main reactions are now much better understood, and recent advances in BES configuration and electrode materials in lab-scale enhance the interest in this technology. However, there are still some gaps that need to be filled to move towards its application. Side reactions or scaling-up issues are clearly among the main challenges that need to be overcome to its further development. This review summarizes the recent advances made in the field of electromethanogenesis to address the main future challenges and opportunities of this novel process. In addition, the present fundamental knowledge is critically reviewed and some insights are provided to identify potential niche applications and help researchers to overcome current technological boundaries.

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Technological advances in CO2 conversion electro-biorefinery: A step toward commercialization

Cited by 174 publications

References 52 publications

Energy Efficiency and Productivity Enhancement of Microbial Electrosynthesis of Acetate

Energy Efficiency and Productivity Enhancement of Microbial Electrosynthesis of Acetate

Microbial fuel cells: From fundamentals to applications. A review

On the Edge of Research and Technological Application: A Critical Review of Electromethanogenesis

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