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Competitive exclusion in a DAE model for microbial electrolysis cells

Harry J Dudley1, Zhiyong Jason Ren2, David M Bortz1

  • 1Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0526, USA.

Mathematical Biosciences and Engineering : MBE
|October 30, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Competition in microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) favors methanogens if they can outcompete electroactive bacteria for substrate. Achieving stable hydrogen production requires specific conditions ensuring electroactive bacteria dominate.

Keywords:
Differential-algebraic equationLaSalle’s invariance principleasymptotic stabilitycompetitive exclusionmicrobial electrolysis

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Area of Science:

  • Biotechnology
  • Environmental Microbiology
  • Chemical Engineering

Background:

  • Microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) utilize electroactive bacteria for hydrogen generation from biodegradable substrates via extracellular electron transfer.
  • Previous work established a differential-algebraic equation (DAE) model for MECs, analogous to chemostat or continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTRs).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the competition between methanogenic archaea and electroactive bacteria within MECs.
  • To determine conditions favoring hydrogen production by electroactive bacteria over methane production by methanogens.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated asymptotic stability of two industrially relevant MEC models using differential-algebraic equations.
  • Applied the principle of competitive exclusion, where the microbe with the lowest substrate affinity dominates.
  • Conducted numerical simulations to support theoretical findings.

Main Results:

  • Methanogens globally dominate if they can grow at the lowest substrate concentration.
  • The competitive exclusion of electroactive bacteria is not always guaranteed, even if they have the lowest substrate affinity.
  • Local asymptotic stability for electroactive bacteria requires additional specific conditions.

Conclusions:

  • MEC operation can be optimized to favor electroactive bacteria for enhanced current and hydrogen production.
  • Understanding microbial competition is crucial for directing MECs towards electricity and hydrogen generation versus methane production.
  • Specific operating conditions are identified to promote electroactive bacteria success.