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Lin C, Liang H, Yang X, Zhan J, Yang Q. Voltage recovery from frozen microbial fuel cells in the laboratory and outdoor field reactors. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 942:173751. [PMID: 38839000 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Extreme temperature variations are a problem that must be faced in the practical application of microbial fuel cells (MFCs), but MFCs are not extensively described for low and even freezing temperatures. This study assessed the effect of low-temperature shock on the power generation performance and microbial community structure of MFCs. Two scales of MFCs, the small (mL-MFC) and the large (L-MFC), were constructed in the laboratory and their performance was evaluated before and after freezing at -18 °C. The experimental results demonstrate that both MFCs were capable of rapidly restoring their voltage to the previous level after thawing. For the mL-MFC (rGO/Ag), the power density recovered from 194.30 ± 10.84 mW/m2 to 195.57 ± 4.02 mW/m2 after thawing. For L-MFC (carbon felt electrodes), the power density increased significantly from the initial 1.79 mW/m2 to 173.90 mW/m2 after thawing, but the performance degradation problem after reactor amplification still needs to be solved. The sediment microbial fuel cell (SMFC) was successfully constructed and operated in a natural outdoor environment to maintain high voltage output after the period of frost. Microbial analysis indicated after the frost period, psychrotolerant microorganisms enriched on the anode, such as Flavobacterium and Psychrobacter, while the relative abundance of anaerobic methanogenic bacterium decreased. Overall, freeze-thaw operations had a non-negative impact on the performance of MFCs and provided some references for their practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyang Lin
- School of Chemical Engineering, Ocean and Life Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China
| | - Haoran Liang
- School of Chemical Engineering, Ocean and Life Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China
| | - Xiaojing Yang
- School of Chemical Engineering, Ocean and Life Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China
| | - Jingjing Zhan
- School of Chemical Engineering, Ocean and Life Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China
| | - Qiao Yang
- School of Chemical Engineering, Ocean and Life Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China.
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Zhang C, Zeng X, Xu X, Nie W, Dubey BK, Ding W. PDA-Fe 3O 4 decorated carbon felt anode enhancing electrochemical performance of microbial fuel cells: Effect of electrode materials on electroactive biofilm. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 355:141764. [PMID: 38521108 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Anode modification is an effective strategy for enhancing the electrochemical performance of microbial fuel cell (MFC). However, the impacts of the modified materials on anode biofilm development during MFC operation have been less studied. We prepared a novel PDA-Fe3O4-CF composite anode by coating original carbon felt anode (CF) with polydopamine (PDA) and Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The composite anode material was characterized by excellent hydrophilicity and electrical conductivity, and the anodic biofilm exhibited fast start-up, higher biomass, and more uniform biofilm layer after MFC operation. The MFC reactor assembled with the composite anode achieved a maximum power density of 608 mW m-2 and an output voltage of 586 mV, which were 316.4% and 72.4% higher than the MFC with the original CF anode, respectively. Microbial community analysis indicated that the modified anode biofilm had a higher relative abundance of exoelectrogen species in comparison to the unmodified anode. The PICRUSt data revealed that the anodic materials may affect the bioelectrochemical performance of the biofilm by influencing the expression levels of key enzyme genes involved in biofilm extracellular polymer (EPS) secretion and extracellular electron transfer (EET). The growth of the anodic biofilm would exert positive or negative influences on the efficiency of electricity production and electron transfer of the MFCs at different operating stages. This work expands the knowledge of the role that anodic materials play in the development and electrochemical performance of anodic biofilm in MFCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cunkuan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Xiaolan Zeng
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China.
| | - Xiaotang Xu
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Wenbo Nie
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Brajesh Kumar Dubey
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West India
| | - Wenchuan Ding
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China.
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Wang J, Ren K, Zhu Y, Huang J, Liu S. A Review of Recent Advances in Microbial Fuel Cells: Preparation, Operation, and Application. BIOTECH (BASEL (SWITZERLAND)) 2022; 11:biotech11040044. [PMID: 36278556 PMCID: PMC9589990 DOI: 10.3390/biotech11040044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
The microbial fuel cell has been considered a promising alternative to traditional fossil energy. It has great potential in energy production, waste management, and biomass valorization. However, it has several technical issues, such as low power generation efficiency and operational stability. These issues limit the scale-up and commercialization of MFC systems. This review presents the latest progress in microbial community selection and genetic engineering techniques for enhancing microbial electricity production. The summary of substrate selection covers defined substrates and some inexpensive complex substrates, such as wastewater and lignocellulosic biomass materials. In addition, it also includes electrode modification, electron transfer mediator selection, and optimization of operating conditions. The applications of MFC systems introduced in this review involve wastewater treatment, production of value-added products, and biosensors. This review focuses on the crucial process of microbial fuel cells from preparation to application and provides an outlook for their future development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfei Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Kexin Ren
- Department of Chemical Engineering, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Yan Zhu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Jiaqi Huang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
- The Center for Biotechnology & Interdisciplinary Studies (CBIS), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Shijie Liu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
- Correspondence:
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Boas JV, Oliveira VB, Simões M, Pinto AMFR. Review on microbial fuel cells applications, developments and costs. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 307:114525. [PMID: 35091241 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology has attracted significant attention in the last years due to its potential to recover energy in a wastewater treatment. The idea of using an MFC in industry is very attractive as the organic wastes can be converted into energy, reducing the waste disposal costs and the energy needs while increasing the company profit. However, taking aside these promising prospects, the attempts to apply MFCs in large-scale have not been succeeded so far since their lower performance and high costs remains challenging. This review intends to present the main applications of the MFC systems and its developments, particularly the advances on configuration and operating conditions. The diagnostic techniques used to evaluate the MFC performance as well as the different modeling approaches are described. Towards the introduction of the MFC in the market, a cost analysis is also included. The development of low-cost materials and more efficient systems, with high higher power outputs and durability, are crucial towards the application of MFCs in industrial/large scale. This work is a helpful tool for discovering new operation and design regimes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Vilas Boas
- CEFT, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal
| | - Vânia B Oliveira
- CEFT, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Manuel Simões
- LEPABE, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal
| | - Alexandra M F R Pinto
- CEFT, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal.
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Guo Y, Chen Z, Zhang S. Methane-fueled microbial fuel cells with the formate-acclimating electroactive culture. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 754:142186. [PMID: 33254943 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Methane gas is widespread in natural environments and anaerobic wastewater treatment sites, bringing the risk of the greenhouse effect and energy loss if left unmanaged. A methane-fueled microbial fuel cell (MFC) can convert methane to electricity under mild condition, but faced difficulties in startup. In this study, the new startup strategy and operation performance for methane-fueled MFCs were investigated. After the pre-cultivation of formate-acclimating electroactive culture, the methane-fueled MFC was successfully started up in a short time of 53 d. Increasing concentrations of molybdenum and tungsten in medium facilitated both methane consumption and electricity generation. Under the optimal condition (batch duration of 11 h, 30 °C, pH 7 buffered by phosphate buffer solution), the methane-fueled MFC achieved the maximum power density of 166 mW/m3, a coulomb production of 6.58 ± 0.07C/batch, a CE of 27.4 ± 0.4% and a methane consumption of 31.2 ± 0.3 μmol/batch. This work explored a suitable inoculum (formate-acclimating electroactive culture) for methane-fueled MFCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanli Guo
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Zhuang Chen
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Shaohui Zhang
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Fuel Cell, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China.
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