Performance of a packed-bed anode bio-electrochemical reactor for power generation and for removal of gaseous acetone

J Environ Manage. 2022 Jul 15:314:115062. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115062. Epub 2022 Apr 15.

Abstract

The packed anode bioelectrochemical system (Pa-BES) developed in this study is a type of BES that introduces waste gas into a cathode and then into an anode, thereby providing the cathode with sufficient oxygen and reducing the amount of oxygen to the anode to promote the output of electricity. When the empty-bed residence time was 45 s and the liquid flowrate was 35 mL/s, the system achieved optimal performance. Under these conditions, removal efficiency, mineralization efficiency, voltage output, and power density were 93.86%, 93.37%, 296.3 mV, and 321.12 mW/m3, respectively. The acetone in the waste gas was almost completely converted into carbon dioxide, indicating that Pa-BES can effectively remove acetone and has the potential to be used in practical situations. A cyclic voltammetry analysis revealed that the packings exhibited clear redox peaks, indicating that the Pa-BES has outstanding biodegradation and power generation abilities. Through microbial community dynamics, numerous organics degraders, electrochemically active bacteria, nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria were found, and the spatial distribution of these microbes were identified. Among them, Xanthobacter, Bryobacter, Mycobacteriums and Terrimonawas were able to decompose acetone or other organic substances, with Xanthobacter dominating. Bacterium_OLB10 and Ferruginibacter are the electrochemically active bacteria in Pa-BES, while Ferruginibacter is the most abundant in the main anode, which is responsible for electron collection and transfer.

Keywords: Biodegradation; Bioenergy; Biotrickling filter; Electricity generation; Microbial fuel cell.

MeSH terms

  • Acetone
  • Bioelectric Energy Sources*
  • Electricity
  • Electrodes
  • Gases
  • Oxygen

Substances

  • Gases
  • Acetone
  • Oxygen