Decomposition characteristics of propionate when changing the electrode material, external resistance and reactor temperature of microbial fuel cells

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 47; no. 5; pp. 2783 - 2793
• Main Authors: Ueda, Megumi, Tojo, Seishu, Chosa, Tadashi, Uchigasaki, Manzo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 15.01.2022
• Subjects: Anode; Biofilm; Decomposition; Microbial fuel cell; Propionate; Propionate; Biofilm; Microbial fuel cell; Decomposition; Anode
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.10.200

Assuming a series-type microbial fuel cell (MFC) that sequentially consumes organic acid components, the effects of the electrode material, external resistance, and temperature of MFC on the decomposition characteristics of acetate and propionate were investigated. As to electrode materials, propionate decomposition required less time in carbon cloth (CC) than that in carbon felt (CF), and maximum power was produced higher in CC than that in CF as well as acetate substrate. When the external resistance of 1000 Ω was replaced with 100 Ω or 10 Ω, both the decomposition rate and maximum power in propionate were lower than those in acetate, respectively. The time required for acetate decomposition at the temperature of 30 °C and 37 °C was 14.8 and 19.4 h, while 25.3 and 17.2 h in propionate at 30 °C and 37 °C, respectively. The microbial community changed significantly between 30 °C and 37 °C of the temperature. •Electrode material and external resistance of MFC influenced the decomposition rate of propionate.•The change in reactor temperature was the most influential factor in the propionate decomposition.•The dominant species of δ-proteobacteria in the propionate at 37 °C was Desulfobulbus elongates.