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High-efficient acetate production from carbon dioxide using a bioanode microbial electrosynthesis system with bipolar
Yinbo Xiang1, Guangli Liu1, Renduo Zhang1
1Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
Bioresource Technology
|March 11, 2017
Summary
A bipolar membrane (BPM) enhanced microbial electrosynthesis system (MES) efficiently converts carbon dioxide to acetate using wastewater energy. This BPM-MES significantly boosts acetate production and current output compared to proton exchange membrane systems.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Electrochemistry
- Microbiology
Background:
- Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) offers a sustainable route for carbon dioxide conversion.
- Wastewater treatment provides a potential bioenergy source for microbial processes.
- Efficient buffering is crucial for optimizing MES performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate an efficient bioanode MES for converting CO2 to acetate.
- To compare the performance of MES systems using bipolar membranes (BPM) versus proton exchange membranes (PEM).
- To investigate the impact of membrane type on acetate production and system efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Constructed bioanode MES using BPM and PEM as separators.
- Operated MES systems at various voltages (0.8–1.4V).
- Analyzed acetate production rate, substrate removal efficiency, current output, and microbial community composition.
Main Results:
- BPM-MES demonstrated a 238% higher cathodic acetate production rate than PEM-MES.
- Anodic substrate removal efficiency increased by 45% in BPM-MES.
- BPM-MES exhibited over five times greater current output and enhanced biomass and Acetobacterium abundance.
Conclusions:
- Bipolar membrane (BPM) integration significantly enhances bioanode MES performance for acetate production.
- BPM-MES is a promising strategy for sustainable acetate synthesis utilizing wastewater bioenergy.
- The in situ pH buffering capability of BPM is key to improved MES efficiency.
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