Abstract
The current study reports the evidence of enhancement in power generation from cellulosic biomass in microbial fuel cell (MFC) systems by supplementing dried Doraji (Platycodon grandiflorum) roots powder. Mediator-less two chamber H-type MFCs were prepared using rumen fluid as anode inocula to convert finely ground pine tree (Avicel) at 2% (w/v) to electricity. Dried Doraji roots were ground to pass 1 mm sieve and added to the anode of MFC at 0.1% w/v dosage for treatment. MFC power and current across an external resistor were measured daily for 10 d. At the end of incubation on d10, collected gases were measured for total gas volume and analyzed for gas composition on gas chromatography. Supplementation of Doraji roots powder to MFC anode chamber increased power generation and CO2 production. Over the 10d experimental period, power density normalized to anode surface area were between 17.0 and 37.7 with average of 32.5 mW/m2 in Doraji MFCs, and between 16.8 and 19.8 with average of 18.2 mW/m2 in control group. CO2 production increased and methane to CO2 ratio decreased in Doraji root treatment comparing to control group. These observations imply that Doraji root components would inhibit methanogenesis and alter microbial fermentation of cellulose compounds favorable to produce bioenergy efficiently in MFC.
Highlights
Fossil fuels have served as the main energy resources for industrialization and economic growth for the past century [1], and represented 80% of the global primary energy use [2], but the use of these contributed 94% to 96% of greenhouse emission in the USA [3] including CO2, methane, CO and nitrous oxide (N2O), which cause global warming and pollution [4]
The current study reports the evidence of enhancement in power generation from cellulosic biomass in microbial fuel cell (MFC) systems by supplementing dried Doraji (Platycodon grandiflorum) roots powder
Microbial Fuel Cell is one of the technologies that generate clean sustainable bioenergy from cellulosic biomass; methanogenesis remains as a major factor limiting MFC performance
Summary
Fossil fuels have served as the main energy resources for industrialization and economic growth for the past century [1], and represented 80% of the global primary energy use [2], but the use of these contributed 94% to 96% of greenhouse emission in the USA [3] including CO2, methane, CO and nitrous oxide (N2O), which cause global warming and pollution [4]. MFC has shown tremendous electron donor versatility including simple substrates such as glucose, acetate, and lactate [7] [8] [9] complex substrates such as municipal and industrial wastewaters [10] [11] and cellulose [1] [12] [13] [14]. To utilize cellulosic biomass in MFC, the anodic process requires cellulose degradation, but often the microorganisms that are electrochemically active did not show cellulolytic activity, it requires products of cellulose fermentation as electron donors to generate electricity [19] [20]. Rumen fluid from cow [14] [21] or goat [22] had been studied for electricity generation from cellulose or cellulosic biomass because rumen microorganisms include both strict and facultative anaerobes, which effectively hydrolyze cellulose, and conserve energy via anaerobic respiration or fermentation [23]. Methanogenesis diverts electron from the anode and methanogens act as substrate competitors to the exoelectrogens; acetoclastic methanogens compete for electron donors and hydrogenotrophic methanogens utilize the hydrogen produced in the reactor [24]
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