Periodic polarity reversal for stabilizing the pH in two-chamber microbial electrolysis cells

Yong Jiang, Peng Liang, Changyong Zhang, Yanhong Bian, Xueliang Sun, Helan Zhang, Xufei Yang, Feng Zhao and Xia Huang

Applied Energy, 2016, vol. 165, issue C, 670-675

Abstract: A successful pH control is of critical importance for ensuring efficient H2 production in two-chamber MECs. In this study, a novel two-chamber MEC is developed with biotic/abiotic hybrid electrodes, which are composed of carbon felt (CF) and stainless steel (SS) mesh. The CF is used for the electrogenic microorganisms attachment catalyzing the oxidation of organic matter (OM); the SS serves as the current collector and the H2 evolution catalyst. The MEC is operated in the periodic polarity reversal (PPR) mode and two hybrid electrodes work alternately as an anode and a cathode. With the hybrid electrodes and the PPR mode, the pH fluctuation is limited within the range of 6.4–8.6, and the H2 production is 5.3 times that of control without the PPR mode. The optimal reversal interval is 2h for maximal H2 production. The H2 production increases with the amplitude of the applied voltage (0.7–1.0V). The using of hybrid electrodes, combining with the PPR mode, provides a simple but efficient pH control strategy and better H2 production performance in MECs. The findings of this study are expected to facilitate the design of pilot-scale MECs or similar bio-electrochemical reactors in future research.

Keywords: Biotic/abiotic hybrid electrodes; Polarity reversal; pH control; Microbial electrolysis cell (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:appene:v:165:y:2016:i:c:p:670-675

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DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.01.001

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