Revival of the biological sunlight‐to‐biogas energy conversion system

Schamphelaire, Liesje De; Verstraete, Willy

doi:10.1002/bit.22257

Cited by 195 publications

(62 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…The potential for direct ethanol production appears limited, although the fermentation of starch storage products may be more favourable [5]. Research on anaerobic digestion of micro-algal biomass goes back more than 50 years [6] and the subject has been revisited a number of times since then [7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. More recently digestion has been considered as a means of improving the overall energy balance of biodiesel production [14][15][16]; as a substrate for co-digestion to improve volumetric biogas yields in digestion of less favourable substrates [17,18], or with other carbon-rich wastes [19]; or as an adjunct to wastewater treatment [20,21].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative testing of energy yields from micro-algal biomass cultures processed via anaerobic digestion

2016

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. Comparative testing of energy yields from microalgal biomass cultures processed via anaerobic digestion. Renewable Energy, 87,[744][745][746][747][748][749][750][751][752][753] http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960148115304286 doi:10.1016/j.renene.2015.11.009 __________________________________________________________________________________ Comparative testing of energy yields from micro-algal biomass cultures processed via anaerobic digestion Keiron P. Roberts, Sonia Heaven, Charles J. Banks Faculty of Engineering and the Environment, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK (Email K.P. Roberts@soton.ac.uk, S.Heaven@soton.ac.uk, C.J.Banks@soton.ac.uk) Abstract Although digestion of micro-algal biomass was first suggested in the 1950s, there is still only limited information available for assessment of its potential. The research examined six laboratory-grown marine and freshwater micro-algae and two samples from large-scale cultivation systems. Biomass composition was characterised to allow prediction of potentially available energy using the Buswell equation, with calorific values as a benchmark for energy recovery. Biochemical methane potential tests were analysed using a pseudo-parallel first order model to estimate kinetic coefficients and proportions of readily-biodegradable carbon. Chemical composition was used to assess potential interferences from nitrogen and sulphur components. Volatile solids (VS) conversion to methane showed a broad range, from 0.161-0.435 L CH 4 g -1 VS; while conversion of calorific value ranged from 26.4-79.2%. Methane productivity of laboratory-grown species was estimated from growth rate, measured by changes in optical density in batch culture, and biomass yield based on an assumed harvested solids content. Volumetric productivity was 0.04-0.08 L CH 4 L -1 culture day -1 , the highest from the marine species Thalassiosira pseudonana. Estimated methane productivity of the large-scale raceway was lower at 0.01 L CH 4 L -1 day -1 . The approach used offers a means of screening for methane productivity per unit of cultivation under standard conditions.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative testing of energy yields from micro-algal biomass cultures processed via anaerobic digestion

2016

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“…Strik et al (2008) applied a photosynthetic algal MFC to produce a maximum current density of 539 mA/m 2 (projected anode surface) and a maximum power production of 110 mW/m 2 (surface area of MFC). Schamphelaire and Verstraete (2009) used a closed-loop system consisting of an algal growth unit for biomass production, an anaerobic digestion unit to convert biomass to biogas, and an MFC to polish the effluent of the digester and to generate electricity. They claimed that this system resulted in a power plant with a potential capacity of about 9 kW/ha of solar algal panel, with prospects of 23 kW/ha.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of flow rate and chemical oxygen demand removal characteristics on power generation performance of microbial fuel cells

Juang¹,

Yang²,

Kuo³

2012

Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Two microbial fuel cells with different oxygen supplies in the cathodic chamber were constructed. Electrogenic capabilities of both cells were compared under the same operational conditions. Results showed that binary quadratic equations can express the relationships between chemical oxygen demand degradation rate and chemical oxygen demand loading and between chemical oxygen demand removal rate and chemical oxygen demand loading in both cells. Good linear relationships between power output (voltage or power density) and flow rate and between power output and chemical oxygen demand degradation rate were only found on the cell with mechanical aeration in the cathodic chamber, but not on the cell with algal photosynthesis in the cathodic chamber. The relationships between power output and chemical oxygen demand removal rate and between power output and effluent chemical oxygen demand concentration on both cells can be expressed as binary quadratic equations. The optimum flow rates to obtain higher power density and higher Coulombic efficiency in the cell with mechanical aeration in the cathodic chamber (=0.85 mW/m 2 and 0.063%) and in the cell with algal photosynthesis in the cathodic chamber (=0.65 mW/m 2 and 0.05%) are about 1000 and 1460 lL/min, respectively. The optimum chemical oxygen demand removal rates to obtain higher power density and higher Coulombic efficiency in the cell with mechanical aeration in the cathodic chamber (=1.2 mW/m 2 and 0.064%) and in the cell with algal photosynthesis in the cathodic chamber (=0.81 mW/m 2 and 0.051%) are about 40.5 and 36.5%, respectively.

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“…BESs, like MFCs treating wastewater, combine energy harvesting with necessary wastewater cleaning. In case of solar powered or photosynthetic MFCs, the challenge is to produce net electricity (De Schamphelaire and Verstraete 2009;Strik et al 2008a, b). BESs with microorganisms at the bioanode or biocathode generally may be combined with any other known bio or chemical half-reaction at the other electrode ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

New applications and performance of bioelectrochemical systems

Hamelers

Heijne

Sleutels

et al. 2009

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol

260

134

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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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Revival of the biological sunlight‐to‐biogas energy conversion system

Cited by 195 publications

References 42 publications

Comparative testing of energy yields from micro-algal biomass cultures processed via anaerobic digestion

Comparative testing of energy yields from micro-algal biomass cultures processed via anaerobic digestion

Effects of flow rate and chemical oxygen demand removal characteristics on power generation performance of microbial fuel cells

New applications and performance of bioelectrochemical systems

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