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Fathima A, Ilankoon IMSK, Zhang Y, Chong MN. Scaling up of dual-chamber microbial electrochemical systems - An appraisal using systems design approach. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169186. [PMID: 38086487 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169186] [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: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Impetus to minimise the energy and carbon footprints of evolving wastewater resource recovery facilities has promoted the development of microbial electrochemical systems (MES) as an emerging energy-neutral and sustainable platform technology. Using separators in dual-chamber MES to isolate anodic and cathodic environments creates endless opportunities for its myriad applications. Nevertheless, the high internal resistance and the complex interdependencies among various system factors have challenged its scale-up. This critical review employed a systems approach to examine the complex interdependencies and practical issues surrounding the implementation and scalability of dual-chamber MES, where the anodic and cathodic reactions are mutually appraised to improve the overall system efficiency. The robustness and stability of anodic biofilms in large-volume MES is dependent on its inoculum source, antecedent history and enrichment strategies. The composition and anode-respiring activity of these biofilms are modulated by the anolyte composition, while their performance demands a delicate balance between the electrode size, macrostructure and the availability of substrates, buffers and nutrients when using real wastewater as anolyte. Additionally, the catholyte governed the reduction environment and associated energy consumption of MES with scalable electrocatalysts needed to enhance the sluggish reaction kinetics for energy-efficient resource recovery. A comprehensive assessment of the dual-chamber reactor configuration revealed that the tubular, spiral-wound, or plug-in modular MES configurations are suitable for pilot-scale, where it could be designed more effectively using efficient electrode macrostructure, suitable membranes and bespoke strategies for continuous operation to maximise their performance. It is anticipated that the critical and analytical understanding gained through this review will support the continuous development and scaling-up of dual-chamber MES for prospective energy-neutral treatment of wastewater and simultaneous circular management of highly relevant environmental resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arshia Fathima
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - I M S K Ilankoon
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Yifeng Zhang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Meng Nan Chong
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia.
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2
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Fessler M, Madsen JS, Zhang Y. Microbial Interactions in Electroactive Biofilms for Environmental Engineering Applications: A Role for Nonexoelectrogens. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:15273-15279. [PMID: 36223388 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c04368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Microbial electrochemical systems have gained much attention over the past decade due to their potential for various environmental engineering applications ranging from energy production to wastewater treatment to bioproduction. At the heart of these systems lie exoelectrogens-microorganisms capable of exporting electrons generated during metabolism to external electron acceptors such as electrodes. The bacterial biofilm communities on these electrodes are dominated by exoelectrogens but are nonetheless extremely diverse. So far, within the field, the main focus has been on the electroactive bacteria. However, to broaden our understanding of these communities, it is crucial to clarify how the remaining inhabitants of electrode-respiring biofilms contribute to the overall function of the biofilm. Ultimately, such insights may enable improvement of microbial electrochemical systems by reshaping the community structure with naturally occurring beneficial strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Fessler
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jonas Stenløkke Madsen
- Section of Microbiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Yifeng Zhang
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
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Zhang Z, Asefaw BK, Xiong Y, Chen H, Tang Y. Evidence and Mechanisms of Selenate Reduction to Extracellular Elemental Selenium Nanoparticles on the Biocathode. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:16259-16270. [PMID: 36239462 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c05145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Intracellular selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) production is a roadblock to the recovery of selenium from biological water treatment processes because it is energy intensive to break microbial cells and then separate SeNPs. This study provided evidence of significantly more extracellular SeNP production on the biocathode (97-99%) compared to the conventional reactors (1-90%) using transmission electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The cathodic microbial community analysis showed that relative abundance of Azospira oryzae, Desulfovibrio, Stenotrophomonas, and Rhodocyclaceae was <1% in the inoculum but enriched to 10-21% for each group when the bioelectrochemical reactor reached a steady state. These four groups of microorganisms simultaneously produce intracellular and extracellular SeNPs in conventional biofilm reactors per literature review but prefer to produce extracellular SeNPs on the cathode. This observation may be explained by the cellular energetics: by producing extracellular SeNPs on the biocathode, microbes do not need to transfer selenate and the electrons from the cathode into the cells, thereby saving energy. Extracellular SeNP production on the biocathode is feasible since we found high concentrations of C-type cytochrome, which is well known for its ability to transfer electrons from electrodes to microbial cells and reduce selenate to SeNPs on the cell membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiming Zhang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, 2525 Pottsdamer Street, Tallahassee, Florida32310, United States
| | - Benhur K Asefaw
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, 2525 Pottsdamer Street, Tallahassee, Florida32310, United States
| | - Yi Xiong
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, 2525 Pottsdamer Street, Tallahassee, Florida32310, United States
| | - Huan Chen
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University, 1800 East Paul Dirac Drive, Tallahassee, Florida32310, United States
| | - Youneng Tang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, 2525 Pottsdamer Street, Tallahassee, Florida32310, United States
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Marais TS, Huddy RJ, Harrison STL. Elemental sulphur recovery from a sulphate-rich aqueous stream in a single hybrid linear flow channel reactor is mediated through microbial community dynamics and adaptation to reactor zones. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2022; 98:6763417. [PMID: 36259757 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiac059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The coupled application of biological sulphate reduction (BSR) and partial sulphide oxidation to treat sulphate-rich wastewater is an effective strategy to mitigate pollution and recover elemental sulphur for repurposing. The recent development of the hybrid linear flow channel reactor (LFCR) achieves simultaneous BSR and partial sulphide oxidation with biosulphur recovery via a floating sulphur biofilm (FSB). Here, we explore the microbial community zoning and dynamics facilitating the process. A total of three continuous LFCRs were used to evaluate the effect of reactor zones, hydraulic residence time (HRT), carbon source, namely lactate and acetate, as well as reactor geometry and scale on process performance and microbial community dynamics. Community composition of sessile and planktonic microbial consortia were resolved at a 5- and 2-day HRT through 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Preferential attachment and prevalence of specific phylotypes within the sessile and planktonic communities revealed clear adaptation of key microorganisms to different microenvironments. Key microbial taxa affiliated with sulphate reduction and sulphide oxidation as well as those implicated in fermentation and syntrophic metabolism, fluctuated in response to changes in HRT and process performance. Through understanding the relationship between microbial community dynamics and process performance, this research will inform better process design and optimization of the hybrid LFCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- T S Marais
- Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X1, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa.,Future Water Institute, 1 Madiba Circle, University of Cape Town, 7700, South Africa
| | - R J Huddy
- Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X1, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa.,Future Water Institute, 1 Madiba Circle, University of Cape Town, 7700, South Africa
| | - S T L Harrison
- Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X1, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa.,Future Water Institute, 1 Madiba Circle, University of Cape Town, 7700, South Africa
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Dessie Y, Tadesse S. Advancements in Bioelectricity Generation Through Nanomaterial-Modified Anode Electrodes in Microbial Fuel Cells. FRONTIERS IN NANOTECHNOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fnano.2022.876014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of nanotechnology in bioelectrochemical systems to recover bioelectricity and metals from waste appears to be a potentially appealing alternative to existing established procedures. This trend exactly characterizes the current renewable energy production technology. Hence, this review focuses on the improvement of the anode electrode by using different functional metal oxide-conducting polymer nanocomposites to enhance microbial fuel cell (MFC) performance. Enhancement of interfacial bioelectrocatalysis between electroactive microorganisms and hierarchical porous nanocomposite materials could enhance cost-effective bioanode materials with superior bioelectrocatalytic activity for MFCs. In this review, improvement in efficiency of MFCs by using iron oxide- and manganese oxide-based polypyrrole hybrid composites as model anode modifiers was discussed. The review also extended to discussing and covering the principles, components, power density, current density, and removal efficiencies of biofuel cell systems. In addition, this research review demonstrates the application of MFCs for renewable energy generation, wastewater treatment, and metal recovery. This is due to having their own unique working principle under mild conditions and using renewable biodegradable organic matter as a direct fuel source.
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Shen W, Zhao X, Wang X, Yang S, Jia X, Yu X, Yang J, Yang Q, Zhao H. Improving the power generation performances of Gram-positive electricigens by regulating the peptidoglycan layer with lysozyme. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 185:109463. [PMID: 32247147 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The power generation performance of a microbial fuel cell (MFC) greatly depends on the relative amount of electricigens in the anodic microbial community. Running the MFC multiple times can practically enrich the electricigens, and thus improve its power generation efficiency. However, Gram-positive electricigens cannot be enriched well because of their thick non-conductive peptidoglycan layer. Herein, we report a new Gram-positive electricigen enrichment method by regulating the peptidoglycan layer of the bacteria using lysozyme. Lysozyme can partially hydrolyze the peptidoglycans layer of Gram-positive Firmicutes to improve the permeability of cell wall, and thus enhance its electricity generation activity. The stimulation of Gram-positive electricigen endows MFCs a high power generation community structure, which results in the power density 42% higher than that of the control sample. Our work has provided a new and simple method for optimizing the anode community structure by regulating weak electricigens in the community with lysozyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenrui Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan, 250353, Shandong, PR China; Department of Bioengineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250353, Shandong, PR China
| | - Xiaoran Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, PR China
| | - Xiaoliang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan, 250353, Shandong, PR China
| | - Siqi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan, 250353, Shandong, PR China
| | - Xindi Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan, 250353, Shandong, PR China
| | - Xiaodi Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan, 250353, Shandong, PR China
| | - Jing Yang
- School of Electronic and Information Engineering (Department of Physics), Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250353, Shandong, PR China
| | - Qinzheng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan, 250353, Shandong, PR China; Department of Bioengineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250353, Shandong, PR China.
| | - Huazhang Zhao
- State Key Lab Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, 810016, PR China.
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Haavisto JM, Kokko ME, Lakaniemi AM, Sulonen MLK, Puhakka JA. The effect of start-up on energy recovery and compositional changes in brewery wastewater in bioelectrochemical systems. Bioelectrochemistry 2019; 132:107402. [PMID: 31830669 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2019.107402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Start-up of bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) fed with brewery wastewater was compared at different adjusted anode potentials (-200 and 0 mV vs. Ag/AgCl) and external resistances (50 and 1000 Ω). Current generation stabilized faster with the external resistances (9 ± 3 and 1.70 ± 0.04 A/m3 with 50 and 1000 Ω, respectively), whilst significantly higher current densities of 76 ± 39 and 44 ± 9 A/m3 were obtained with the adjusted anode potentials of -200 and 0 mV vs. Ag/AgCl, respectively. After start-up, when operated using 47 Ω external resistance, the current densities and Coulombic efficiencies of all BESs stabilized to 9.5 ± 2.9 A/m3 and 12 ± 2%, respectively, demonstrating that the start-up protocols were not critical for long-term BES operation in microbial fuel cell mode. With adjusted anode potentials, two times more biofilm biomass (measured as protein) was formed by the end of the experiment as compared to start-up with the fixed external resistances. After start-up, the organics in the brewery wastewater, mainly sugars and alcohols, were transformed to acetate (1360 ± 250 mg/L) and propionate (610 ± 190 mg/L). Optimized start-up is required for prompt BES recovery, for example, after process disturbances. Based on the results of this study, adjustment of anode potential to -200 mV vs. Ag/AgCl is recommended for fast BES start-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna M Haavisto
- Tampere University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere, Finland.
| | - Marika E Kokko
- Tampere University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere, Finland
| | - Aino-Maija Lakaniemi
- Tampere University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere, Finland
| | - Mira L K Sulonen
- Tampere University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere, Finland
| | - Jaakko A Puhakka
- Tampere University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere, Finland
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Dessì P, Chatterjee P, Mills S, Kokko M, Lakaniemi AM, Collins G, Lens PNL. Power production and microbial community composition in thermophilic acetate-fed up-flow and flow-through microbial fuel cells. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2019; 294:122115. [PMID: 31541978 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2019.122115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 08/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The microbial communities developed from a mixed-species culture in up-flow and flow-through configurations of thermophilic (55 °C) microbial fuel cells (MFCs), and their power production from acetate, were investigated. The up-flow MFC was operated for 202 days, obtaining an average power density of 0.13 W/m3, and Tepidiphilus was the dominant transcriptionally-active microorganisms. The planktonic community developed in the up-flow MFC was used to inoculate a flow-through MFC resulting in the proliferation of Ureibacillus, whose relative abundance increased from 1 to 61% after 45 days. Despite the differences between the up-flow and flow-through MFCs, including the anode electrode, hydrodynamic conditions, and the predominant microorganism, similar (p = 0.05) volumetric power (0.11-0.13 W/m3), coulombic efficiency (16-18%) and acetate consumption rates (55-69 mg/L/d) were obtained from both. This suggests that though MFC design can shape the active component of the thermophilic microbial community, the consortia are resilient and can maintain similar performance in different MFC configurations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Dessì
- Tampere University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, P.O. Box 541, FI-33104 Tampere University, Finland; National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland.
| | - Pritha Chatterjee
- Tampere University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, P.O. Box 541, FI-33104 Tampere University, Finland; Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, India
| | - Simon Mills
- Microbial Communities Laboratory, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland
| | - Marika Kokko
- Tampere University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, P.O. Box 541, FI-33104 Tampere University, Finland
| | - Aino-Maija Lakaniemi
- Tampere University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, P.O. Box 541, FI-33104 Tampere University, Finland
| | - Gavin Collins
- Microbial Communities Laboratory, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland
| | - Piet N L Lens
- Tampere University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, P.O. Box 541, FI-33104 Tampere University, Finland; National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland
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Gustave W, Yuan ZF, Sekar R, Toppin V, Liu JY, Ren YX, Zhang J, Chen Z. Relic DNA does not obscure the microbial community of paddy soil microbial fuel cells. Res Microbiol 2019; 170:97-104. [DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2018.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Li M, Zhou M, Tian X, Tan C, McDaniel CT, Hassett DJ, Gu T. Microbial fuel cell (MFC) power performance improvement through enhanced microbial electrogenicity. Biotechnol Adv 2018; 36:1316-1327. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2018.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Revised: 04/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/28/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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