Effect of different irradiance levels on bioelectricity generation from algal biophotovoltaic (BPV) devices. Issue 5 (29th July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thong, Cheng‐Han; Phang, Siew‐Moi; Ng, Fong‐Lee; Periasamy, Vengadesh; Ling, Tau‐Chuan; Yunus, Kamran; Fisher, Adrian C.
• Is Part Of: Energy science & engineering. Volume 7:Issue 5(2019)
• Page Start: 2086
• Page End: 2097
• Publication Date: 2019-07-29
• Subjects: algal biophotovoltaic device -- bioelectricity -- biotechnology -- carbon fixation -- irradiance -- microalgae; Energy industries -- Periodicals; Energy development -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1002/ese3.414
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-0505

Abstract

Abstract: Rapid population and economic growth in the world have accelerated the search for new sustainable and environment‐friendly energy sources. Power‐producing systems generally add to the carbon load in the environment, contributing to global climate change. In photosynthesis, energy from light splits water molecules into oxygen, protons, and electrons. Algal biophotovoltaic (BPV) platforms were developed to harvest these electrons to generate bioelectricity through algal photosynthesis. Irradiance is one of the most important parameters that determine power output efficiency from algal BPV devices. In this study, the effective range of irradiance levels for power generation from algal BPV devices comprising of suspension and alginate‐immobilized Chlorella cultures on ITO anodes was determined. Immobilized cultures were prepared by entrapping the algal cells in 2% sodium alginate solution. The algal BPV devices were illuminated by four different irradiance levels (30, 90, 150, and 210 µmol photons m −2 s −1 ). The maximum power density of 0.456 mW m −2 was generated from the prototype algal fuel cell at the irradiance level of 150 µmol photons m −2 s −1 . At 210 µmol photons m −2 s −1, low power density was produced due to photoinhibition as indicated by F v / F m values generated through PAM fluorometry. In terms of carbon fixation rate, the highest value was recorded in immobilized culture at 217.11 mg CO2 L −1 d −1 . The algal biophotovoltaic device is multifunctional and can provide sustainable energy with simultaneous carbon dioxide removal. Abstract : Algal biophotovoltaic (BPV) devices for bioelectricity generation via algal photosynthesis were developed. The effective range of irradiance levels on the power generation of BPV devices, which comprised suspension and alginate‐immobilized Chlorella cultures on ITO anodes, was determined. Of four irradiance levels (30, 90, 150, and 210 µmol photons m −2 s −1 ), maximum power density of 0.456 mW m −2 was generated at 150 µmol photons m −2 s −1 in immobilized cultures, with photoinhibition as indicated by F v / F m values generated through PAM Fluorometry, occurring at 210 µmol photons m −2 s −1 irradiance level.