Dustin McLarty, Jack Brouwer, Scott Samuelsen

Journal of Fuel Cell Science and Technology • 2013

Ultrahigh efficiency, ultralow emission fuel cell gas turbine (FC/GT) hybrid technology represents a significant breakthrough in electric power generation. FC/GT hybrid designs are potentially fuel flexible, dynamically responsive, scalable, low-emission generators. The current work develops a library of dynamic component models and system design tools that are used to conceptualize and evaluate hybrid cycle configurations. The physical models developed for the design analysis are capable of off-design simulation, perturbation analysis, dispatch evaluation, and control development. A parametric variation of seven fundamental design parameters provides insights into design and development requirements of FC/GT hybrids. As the primary generator in most configurations, the FC design choices dominate the system performance, but the optimal design space may be substantially different from a stand-alone FC system. FC operating voltage, fuel utilization, and balance of plant component sizing has large impacts on cost, performance, and functionality. Analysis shows that hybridization of existing fuel cell and gas turbine technology can approach 75% fuel-to-electricity conversion efficiency.

Abdul Majeed Khan, Muhammad Obaid

Journal of Energy in Southern Africa • 2015

This article demonstrates the new approaches for the generation of bioelectricity from waste citrus fruit using direct a galvanic cell (DGC), an indirect galvanic cell (IDGC), a conventional fuel cell (CFC) and a microbial fuel cell (MFC). The citrus fruit was used as whole for the preparation of DGC and their juices for the preparation of IDGC, CFC and MFC. The performance and bioelectrical parameters obtained were compared. The voltage found to be increased by increasing the number of cells in a series while, the current remains constant. Whereas the voltage remains constant and the current found to be increased with increasing the number of cells in parallel sequence. The power output of three units of citrus fruit connected together in a series found to be sufficient to turn on the LED light bulb in all cases. The result showed that lemons have the maximum power output by the DGC and MFC method, whereas grapefruit showed the maximum power output by IDGC, and thus considered as the best citrus fruit. Addition of NaCl solution in DGC and IDGC slightly increased the values of power output. The power output of citrus fruit was also determined by CFC and MFC before and after the inoculation of Escherichia coli. The detailed microscopic analysis of all the samples was carried out. It is found that all MFCs have higher power output as compared to their counterpart CFCs. However, maximum power output was displayed by DGCs. Moreover, a lemon fuel cell has the higher power output as compared to the fuel cells of other citrus fruit. This approach can be used to overcome the disadvantages of many non-renewable and conventional sources of energy including burning of fossil fuels to mitigate the major source of global warming and pollution by using such biodegradable and renewable sources.

Shentan Liu, Hailiang Song, Size Wei et al.

Bioresource Technology • 2014

Mohammadreza Hosseinpour, Manouchehr Vossoughi, Iran Alemzadeh

Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering • 2014

Abstract Background In the recent study, optimum operational conditions of cathode compartment of microbial fuel cell were determined by using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with a central composite design to maximize power density and COD removal. Methods The interactive effects of parameters such as, pH, buffer concentration and ionic strength on power density and COD removal were evaluated in two-chamber microbial batch-mode fuel cell. Results Power density and COD removal for optimal conditions (pH of 6.75, buffer concentration of 0.177 M and ionic strength of cathode chamber of 4.69 mM) improve by 17 and 5%, respectively, in comparison with normal conditions (pH of 7, buffer concentration of 0.1 M and ionic strength of 2.5 mM). Conclusions In conclusion, results verify that response surface methodology could successfully determine cathode chamber optimum operational conditions.

Da-yu Yu, Gang Wang, Fu-chao Xu et al.

Energy Procedia • 2011

Sara Madani, Reza Gheshlaghi, Mahmood Akhavan Mahdavi et al.

Fuel • 2015

Amr El-Hag Ali, Ola M. Gomaa, Reham Fathey et al.

Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology • 2015

Wentao Su, Lixia Zhang, Yong Tao et al.

Electrochemistry Communications • 2012

Zahra Ghasemi Naraghi, Soheila Yaghmaei, Mohammad Mahdi Mardanpour et al.

Electrochimica Acta • 2015

Xin Wang, Ningshengjie Gao, Qixing Zhou

Biosensors and Bioelectronics • 2013

Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) provide an opportunity to detect biological toxicity of water samples. However, the concentration responses of toxins had not been investigated in detail. Using formaldehyde as a toxic substance, the current responses were analyzed over a concentration range from 0.01% to 0.10% in a single chambered BES with 0mV (versus saturated calomel electrode) applied on the anode. The decay percentages of currents increased in proportion with the concentration of formaldehyde after 10000s (∼2.8h), with the peak R(2) of 0.9361 observed at 35,000s (∼9.7h). Fitting results of exponential decay equation showed that the magnification factor (a) closely related with baseline currents and the toxicity factor (b) was in direct proportion to formaldehyde concentration (from 0% to 0.08%) except over the high concentration of 0.10%. These results provide preliminary information about toxin concentration responses in BESs.

Sunil A. Patil, Cecilia Hägerhäll, Lo Gorton

Bioanalytical Reviews • 2012

Xiaojin Li, Ibrahim Abu-Reesh, Zhen He

Agriculture • 2015

Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) are a newly emerged technology for energy-efficient water and wastewater treatment. Much effort as well as significant progress has been made in advancing this technology towards practical applications treating various types of waste. However, BES application for agriculture has not been well explored. Herein, studies of BES related to agriculture are reviewed and the potential applications of BES for promoting sustainable agriculture are discussed. BES may be applied to treat the waste/wastewater from agricultural production, minimizing contaminants, producing bioenergy, and recovering useful nutrients. BES can also be used to supply irrigation water via desalinating brackish water or producing reclaimed water from wastewater. The energy generated in BES can be used as a power source for wireless sensors monitoring the key parameters for agricultural activities. The importance of BES to sustainable agriculture should be recognized, and future development of this technology should identify proper application niches with technological advancement.

Ran Tel‐Vered, Itamar Willner

ChemElectroChem • 2014

Abstract The native photosynthetic reaction centers photosystem I (PSI) and photosystem II (PSII) act as functional nanostructures for the assembly of photo‐biofuel cells. By electrical wiring of PSI and/or PSII with electrodes, the conversion of light energy into electrical power has been demonstrated. Different methodologies to electrically contact the photosystems with the electrodes have been developed, including the reconstitution of the photosystems on relay units, the application of redox‐active polymers as charge‐transport matrices, and the use of metallic nanoparticles or nanoclusters as electron‐transfer relays. Electrical contact of the photosystems with the electrodes facilitates charge separation of the redox intermediates generated upon illumination of the assemblies, thus retarding destructive back electron‐transfer reactions and enhancing the conversion of light energy into electrical power. Recent advances to fabricate electrically wired PSI and/or PSII electrodes are surveyed, and different approaches to assemble photo‐bioelectrochemical cells are discussed. The limitations and future perspectives of the systems will also be presented.

Dan Cui

Journal of Environmental & Analytical Toxicology • 2010

Ryan C. Tice, Younggy Kim

Water Research • 2014

Bipro Ranjan Dhar, Hyung-Sool Lee

Environmental Technology • 2013

Increasing energy demand has been a big challenge for current society, as the fossil fuel sources are gradually decreasing. Hence, development of renewable and sustainable energy sources for the future is considered one of the top priorities in national strategic plans. Bioenergy can meet future energy requirements - renewability, sustainability, and even carbon-neutrality. Bioenergy production from wastes and wastewaters is especially attractive because of dual benefits of energy generation and contaminant stabilization. There are several bioenergy technologies using wastes and wastewaters as electron donor, which include anaerobic digestion, dark biohydrogen fermentation, biohydrogen production using photosynthetic microorganisms, and bioelectrochemical systems (BESs). Among them BES seems to be very promising as we can produce a variety of value-added products from wastes and wastewaters, such as electric power, hydrogen gas, hydrogen peroxide, acetate, ethanol etc. Most ofthe traditional BES uses a membrane to separate the anode and cathode chamber, which is essential for improving microbial metabolism on the anode and the recovery of value-added products on the cathode. Performance of BES lacking a membrane can be seriously deteriorated, due to oxygen diffusion or substantial loss of synthesized products. For this reason, usage of a membrane seems essential to facilitate BES performance. However, a membrane can bring several technical challenges to BES application compared to membrane-less BES. These challenges include poor proton permeability, substrate loss, oxygen back diffusion, pH gradient, internal resistance, biofouling, etc. This paper aims to review the major technical barriers associated with membranes and future research directions for their application in BESs.

Amit Kumar, Krishna Katuri, Piet Lens et al.

ChemInform • 2013

Abstract Review: 41 refs.

Amit Kumar, Krishna Katuri, Piet Lens et al.

Biochemical Society Transactions • 2012

Electrochemical gradients are the backbone of basic cellular functions, including chemo-osmotic transport and ATP synthesis. Microbial growth, terminal respiratory proteins and external electron transfer are major pathways competing for electrons. In BESs (bioelectrochemical systems), such as MFCs (microbial fuel cells), the electron flow can be via soluble inorganic/organic molecules or to a solid surface. The flow of electrons towards a solid surface can be via outer-membrane cytochromes or electron-shuttle molecules, mediated by conductive protein nanowires or extracellular matrices. In MECs (microbial electrolysis cells), the anode potential can vary over a wide range, which alters the thermodynamic energy available for bacteria capable of donating electrons to the electrode [termed EAB (electroactive bacteria)]. Thus the anode potential is an important electrochemical parameter determining the growth, electron distribution/transfer and electrical activity of films of these bacteria on electrodes. Different optimal applied potentials to anodes have been suggested in the literature, for selection for microbial growth, diversity and performance in biofilms on electrodes. In the present paper, we review the effects of anode potentials on electron-transfer properties of such biofilms, and report on the effect that electrochemical cell configuration may have on performance.

Stefano Freguia, Bernardino Virdis, Falk Harnisch et al.

Electrochimica Acta • 2012

Subir Paul

Journal of Fuel Cell Science and Technology • 2012

A bioelectrochemical fuel was fabricated with pretreated and fermented rice husks. The fuel was characterized with variation of process variables by determination of chemical oxygen demand (COD) which is a measure of the oxygen equivalent of electrochemically oxidizable organic fuel to produce electrical energy. The electrodes of the cell were made with nanoporous pure Al coated with platinum, platinum-ruthenium, and platinum-ruthenium-carbon. Anodization parameters were optimized by studying E-I characteristics in sulfuric and oxalic acids with variation of concentration and temperature. Pore size on the order of 30–50 nm was obtained by a two stage anodization. The performance of the cell was evaluated by determining open circuit potential, E-I characteristics, polarization studies, and cyclic voltammetry. A steady onload potential of 600–800 mV was obtained with current density on the order of 15–25 mA/cm2. High power density of 10–15 mW/cm2 has been obtained with electrode materials coated with Pt + Ru or Pt + Ru + C. The performance of coating on nanoporous structure was greatly reflected in the polarization studies, which showed a huge reduction of polarization resistance and increase of exchange current density by many times, the effect being more for anode with anodic solution, fermented rice husk, than with cathode with phosphate buffer cathodic solution. The surface morphology examined by SEM, showed nanodeposits of Pt, Pt-Ru, and the presence of carbon like structure. XRD peaks clearly reveal presence of Pt, Pt-Ru, and carbon.

Abhijeet Borole

Sustainability • 2015

Conversion of biomass into bioenergy is possible via multiple pathways resulting in the production of biofuels, bioproducts, and biopower. Efficient and sustainable conversion of biomass, however, requires consideration of many environmental and societal parameters in order to minimize negative impacts. Integration of multiple conversion technologies and inclusion of upcoming alternatives, such as bioelectrochemical systems, can minimize these impacts via production of hydrogen, electricity or other forms of energy from the low value streams and improve conservation of resources, such as water and nutrients via recycle and reuse. This report outlines alternate pathways integrating microbial electrolysis in biorefinery schemes to improve energy efficiency, while evaluating environmental sustainability parameters.

Harvey N. Seiger

The Scientific World Journal • 2011

When external measurements are made of electrochemical systems, including bioelectrochemical, there results an interaction. Such measurements cause electrochemical processes to take place that are significant. This work looks into the nature and significance of the interfacial processes on membrane and membrane phenomena. The conclusion reached is that interfacial processes are important and cannot be overlooked.

Konstantin Nikolaev, Sergey Ermakov, Yuri Ermolenko et al.

Bioelectrochemistry • 2015

Paweł Sobieszuk, Anna Zamojska-Jaroszewicz, Krystian Frahn

New Biotechnology • 2012

Narendran Sekar, Ramaraja P. Ramasamy

ECS Transactions • 2015

Cyanobacteria exhibit light dependent exoelectrogenic activity in photo-bioelectrochemical cells (PBEC) generating substantial photocurrent. However compared to the other competing technologies such as photovoltaics, the photocurrent generated by cyanobacteria is lower and is not suitable yet to become a viable alternative technology. Initiatives to understand and enhance the exoelectrogenicity of cyanobacteria are crucial to resolve this caveat. In this perspective, a cyanobacterium named Synechococcus elongatus PCC7942 was genetically engineered to express a heterologous protein called outer membrane cytochrome S for enhancing its exoelectrogenicity. The genetically engineered cyanobacteria exhibited nearly 9 fold higher photocurrent generation than the corresponding wild-type cyanobacterium. Further, power density generated by the genetically engineered cyanobacteria in a rudimentary PBEC was found to be five times higher than that generated by wild-type. The multidisciplinary research work presented here highlights the scope for enhancing photocurrent generation by cyanobacteria thereby benefiting faster advancement of PBEC technology.

Narendran Sekar, Ramaraja P. Ramasamy

ECS Meeting Abstracts • 2015

Photosynthetic energy conversion using natural systems is increasingly being investigated in the recent years. Photosynthetic microorganisms such as cyanobacteria exhibit light dependent electrogenic characteristics in photo bio-electrochemical cells 1 (PBEC) and/or photosynthetic microbial fuel cells 2 (PMFC) that generate substantial yet lower photocurrents than their photovoltaics counterparts. Recently we demonstrated that a cyanobacterium named Nostoc sp. employed in PBEC could generate up to 35 mW/m 2 even in a non-engineered PBEC. With the insights obtained from our previous research 2 , a novel and successful attempt has been made in the current study to genetically engineer the cyanobacteria to further enhance its extracellular electron transfer. The cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC7942 was genetically engineered to express a non-native outer membrane redox protein. The engineered S. elongatus exhibited very high extracellular electron transfer ability resulting in ~ 9 fold higher photocurrent generation on the anode of a PBEC than the corresponding wild-type cyanobacterium. This work highlights the scope for enhancing photocurrent generation in cyanobacteria thereby benefiting faster advancement of the PMFC technology. References J. M. Pisciotta, Y. Zou and I. V. Baskakov, PLoS One, 2010, 5, 10 N. Sekar, Y. Umasankar, R. Ramasamy Phys.Chem.Chem.Phys., 2014,16,7862 Figure 1

Frauke Kracke, Igor Vassilev, Jens O. Krömer

Frontiers in Microbiology • 2015

Veera Gnaneswar Gude Bahareh Kokabian

Journal of Microbial & Biochemical Technology • 2012

Oskar Modin, Britt-Marie Wilén

Water Research • 2012

Karin Fedje, Oskar Modin, Ann-Margret Strömvall

Metals • 2015

Excavation followed by landfilling is the most common method for treating soils contaminated by metals. However, as this solution is not sustainable, alternative techniques are required. Chemical soil washing is one such alternative. The aim of this experimental lab-scale study is to develop a remediation and metal recovery method for Cu contaminated sites. The method is based on the washing of soil or ash (combusted soil/bark) with acidic waste liquids followed by electrolytic Cu recovery by means of bioelectrochemical systems (BES). The results demonstrate that a one- or two-step acidic leaching process followed by water washing removes >80 wt. % of the Cu. Copper with 99.7–99.9 wt. % purity was recovered from the acidic leachates using BES. In all experiments, electrical power was generated during the reduction of Cu. This clearly indicates that Cu can also be recovered from dilute solutions. Additionally, the method has the potential to wash co-pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and oxy-PAHs.

Bahareh Kokabian, Veera Gnaneswar Gude

Membrane Water Treatment • 2015

Baoguo Wu, Chunhua Feng, Liqiao Huang et al.

Bioresource Technology • 2014

Marta Coma

Journal of Bioremediation & Biodegradation • 2012

Addressing the simultaneous removal of multiple coexisting groundwater contaminants poses a significant challenge, primarily because of their different physicochemical properties. Indeed, different chemical compounds may necessitate establishing distinct, and sometimes conflicting, (bio)degradation and/or removal pathways. In this work, we investigated the concomitant anaerobic treatment of toluene and copper in a single-chamber bioelectrochemical cell with a potential difference of 1 V applied between the anode and the cathode. As a result, the electric current generated by the bioelectrocatalytic oxidation of toluene at the anode caused the abiotic reduction and precipitation of copper at the cathode, until the complete removal of both contaminants was achieved. Open circuit potential (OCP) experiments confirmed that the removal of copper and toluene was primarily associated with polarization. Analogously, abiotic experiments, at an applied potential of 1 V, confirmed that neither toluene was oxidized nor copper was reduced in the absence of microbial activity. At the end of each experiment, both electrodes were characterized by means of a comprehensive suite of chemical and microbiological analyses, evidencing a highly selected microbial community competent in the biodegradation of toluene in the anodic biofilm, and a uniform electrodeposition of spherical Cu 2 O nanoparticles over the cathode surface.

Tokuji Ikeda

Electrochimica Acta • 2012

Yun-Kun Wang, Guo-Ping Sheng, Wen-Wei Li et al.

Environmental Science & Technology • 2011

Haiyan Wang, Qianyu Hang, John Crittenden et al.

Environmental Science and Pollution Research • 2015

A novel combined autotrophic nitritation and bioelectrochemical-sulfur denitrification (CANBSD) process was developed for treatment of synthetic ammonium-rich wastewater with low carbon/nitrogen ratio. Total nitrogen removal of the CANBSD was higher than 95 %, the effluent SO4 (2-) was lower than 1280 mg L(-1), and the maximum nitrogen volumetric loading rate was 1.2 kg m(-3) day(-1) when (1) the influent NH4 (+)-N was lower than 1008 mg L(-1), (2) hydraulic retention time was between 3.7 and 32 h, (3) the DO was between 0.5 and 1.2 mg L(-1), (4) the pH was between 7.5 and 8.2, and (5) the temperature was between 28 and 30 °C. Both the NH4 (+)-N removal and conversion to NO2 (-)-N in the nitritation membrane reactor (NMBR) were maintained at about 50 %, and the residual NH4 (+)-N and accumulated NO2 (-)-N were subsequently treated in the bioelectrochemical-sulfur three-dimensional denitrification reactor. The CANBSD energy consumption was 0.13 and 3.4 kWh m(-3), respectively, for influent NH4 (+)-N of 100 and 1000 mg L(-1). The energy consumption of CANBSD was close to that of partial nitritation-ANNMMOX.

Young-Chae Song, Gyung-Geun Oh

Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment • 2015

Seung Joo Lim, Wooshin Park, Tak-Hyun Kim et al.

Bioresource Technology • 2012

Li-Juan Zhang, Hu-Chun Tao, Xue-Yan Wei et al.

Chemosphere • 2012

The cathodic reduction of complex-state copper(II) was investigated in a dual chamber microbial fuel cell (MFC). The inner resistance of MFC system could be reduced in the presence of ionizing NH(4)(+), however, mass transfer was hindered at higher ammonia concentration. Thermodynamic and electrochemical analyses indicated that the processes of complex dissociation and copper reduction were governed by the ratio of T[Cu]:T[NH(3)] and the pH of solution. The reduction of Cu(NH(3))(4)(2+) could be achieved via two possible pathways: (1) releasing Cu(2+) from Cu(NH(3))(4)(2+), then reducing Cu(2+) to Cu or Cu(2)O and (2) Cu(NH(3))(4)(2+) accepting an electron and forming Cu(NH(3))(2)(+), and depositing as Cu or Cu(2)O consequently. At initial concentration of 350 mg T[Cu] L(-1), copper removal efficiency of 96% was obtained at pH=9.0 within 12 h (with △Cu/△COD=1.24), 84% was obtained at pH=3.0 within 8 h (with △Cu/△COD=1.72). Cu(NH(3))(4)(2+) was reduced as polyhedral deposits on the cathode.

Seung Joo Lim, Tak-Hyun Kim

Bioresource Technology • 2015