Combined energy storage and methane bioelectrosynthesis from carbon dioxide in a microbial electrosynthesis system. (December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gomez Vidales, Abraham; Omanovic, Sasha; Tartakovsky, Boris
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology reports. Volume 8(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Subjects: Bioelectrosynthesis -- Energy storage -- Capacitance -- CO2 sequestration -- Membraneless; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Biotransformation (Metabolism) -- Periodicals; Agricultural wastes -- Periodicals; Factory and trade waste -- Periodicals; Organic wastes -- Periodicals; Waste products as fuel -- Periodicals; Waste products as fuel; Organic wastes; Factory and trade waste; Biotransformation (Metabolism); Biomass energy; Agricultural wastes; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 662.88
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biteb.2019.100302
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2589-014X

Abstract

Abstract: This study demonstrates a novel approach for combined energy carrier production and energy storage in a Microbial Electrosynthesis System (MES). Continuous production of high purity methane (CH4 ) from carbon dioxide (CO2 ) was achieved in a 0.65 L carbon felt - filled cathode compartment of a membraneless MES. CH4 production reached 0.72 L d − 1 at an energy consumption of 26 Wh L CH 4 −1 . Owing to the membraneless design of the MES, pH control of the electrode compartments was not required, with the cathode compartment pH remaining below 8.5. Electrochemical characterization showed a progressive increase of the MES internal capacitance from 2.1 F to 3.2 F. Bioelectrochemical conversion of CO2 to CH4 can be used for long-term energy storage (power-to-gas conversion) combined with CO2 sequestration, while the internal capacitance of electroactive biofilms can be exploited to develop bioelectrochemical supercapacitors for fast energy return to the electrical grid. Highlights: CH4 produced from CO2 in a membraneless microbial electrosynthesis system (MES). High purity (95%) CH4 production and high internal capacitance demonstrated. CH4 bioelectrosynthesis from CO2 can be used in power-to-gas applications. MES can be used as a bioelectrochemical supercapacitor for electricity storage.