Factors affecting the effectiveness of bioelectrochemical system applications: Data synthesis and meta-analysis
Publication Type:
Journal
Authors:
Year Published:
2018
Abstract:
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) are promising
bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) for simultaneous wastewater treatment and energy/resource
recovery. Unlike conventional fuel cells that are based on stable chemical reactions, these BESs are
sensitive to environmental and operating conditions, such as temperature, pH, external resistance,
etc. Substrate type, electrode material, and reactor configuration are also important factors affecting
power generation in MFCs and hydrogen production in MECs. In order to discuss the influence of
these above factors on the performance of MFCs and MECs, this study analyzes published data via
data synthesis and meta-analysis. The results revealed that domestic wastewater would be more
suitable for treatment using MFCs or MECs, due to their lower toxicity for anode biofilms compared
to swine wastewater and landfill leachate. The optimal temperature was 25–35 ◦C, optimal pH
was 6–7, and optimal external resistance was 100–1000 Ω. Although systems using carbon cloth
as the electrodes demonstrated better performance (due to carbon cloth’s large surface area for
microbial growth), the high prices of this material and other existing carbonaceous materials make
it inappropriate for practical applications. To scale up and commercialize MFCs and MECs in the
future, enhanced system performance and stability are needed, and could be possibly achieved with
improved system designs.
Journal:
Batteries
Volume:
4(3)
Issue:
34
Pagination:
ISSN:
Short Title:
Date Published:
7/24/2018