Long-term study of a new bioelectrochemical technology – The BioGenerator

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 43; no. 16; pp. 7731 - 7737
• Main Authors: Pupkevich, V., Karamanev, D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 19.04.2018
• Subjects: Bioelectrochemical system; BioGenerator; Bioreactor; Leptospirillum ferriphilum; Long-term stability; Microbial fuel cell; Leptospirillum ferriphilum; Microbial fuel cell; Bioreactor; Bioelectrochemical system; BioGenerator; Long-term stability
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.03.056

The BioGenerator is a unique microbial fuel cell for the conversion of hydrogen to electricity. It can be used in the hydrogen-based energy storage as a re-electrification device. This paper shows the results of the long-term stability testing of the BioGenerator. Using a bench scale bioreactor and electrochemical cell, it has been shown that the BioGenerator can achieve at least 3.8 years of continuous electricity generation without significant deterioration either in the biological or in the electrochemical components. The only part which was replaced twice a year was the anode in the electrochemical cell. The results of this work are a significant step towards the commercialization of the BioGenerator, especially in the energy storage sector. •A novel bioelectrochemical technology, the BioGenerator, is studied.•The stable operation of the BioGenerator during a 3.8 years period was shown.•Two major symbiotic microbial species were the main reason to the stability.•The results are significant step towards the commercialization of the BioGenerator.