Development of a novel electrochemical system for oxygen control (ESOC) to examine dissolved oxygen inhibition on algal activity

Effect of temperature on toxicity and biodegradability of dissolved organic nitrogen formed during hydrothermal liquefaction of biomass

This study investigated the nutrient content and reuse potential of wastewater generated during hydrothermal liquefaction of microalgal biomass. The hydrothermal liquefaction reaction was tested at 270, 300, 330, and 345 °C to determine the effect of temperature on the formation of non-biodegradable dissolved organic nitrogen (nbDON). Total nitrogen, ammonium, color, and toxicity were selected as key characteristics for the reuse of hydrothermal liquefaction wastewater. Results indicated that a higher concentration of nbDON₅ (nbDON defined with a 5 day growth assay) and more diverse heterocyclic N-containing organic compounds were associated with greater toxicity as measured by a growth rate assay. For the tested temperature ranges, the total nitrogen content of the hydrothermal liquefaction wastewater slightly decreased from 5020 ± 690 mg L^-1 to 4160 ± 120 mg L^-1, but the % nbDON₅ fraction increased from 57 ± 3 %DON to 96 ± 5 %DON. The temperature of hydrothermal liquefaction reactions can be optimized to maximize carbon conversion and nitrogen recovery.

Enhanced performance of an air-cathode microbial fuel cell with oxygen supply from an externally connected algal bioreactor

An algae bioreactor (ABR) was externally connected to air-cathode microbial fuel cells (MFCs) to increase power generation by supplying a high amount of oxygen to cathode electrode. The MFC with oxygen fed from ABR produced maximum cell voltage and cathode potential at a fixed loading of 459 mV and 10 mV, respectively. During polarization analysis, the MFC displayed a maximum power density of 0.63 W/m(2) (at 2.06 A/m(2)) using 39.2% O2 from ABR, which was approximately 30% higher compared with use of atmospheric air (0.44 W/m(2), 20.8% O2,). The cyclic voltammogram analysis exhibited a higher reduction current of -137 mA with 46.5% O2 compared to atmospheric air (-115 mA). Oxygen supply by algae bioreactor to air-cathode MFC could also maintain better MFC performance in long term operation by minimizing cathode potential drop over time.