Open AccessInsights in the anode chamber influences on cathodic bioelectromethanogenesis – systematic comparison of anode materials and anolytes
Author(s) -
Enzmann Franziska,
Stöckl Markus,
Gronemeier Denise,
Holtmann Dirk
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
engineering in life sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.547
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1618-2863
pISSN - 1618-0240
DOI - 10.1002/elsc.201900126
Subject(s) - anode , cathodic protection , cathode , methane , inorganic chemistry , materials science , carbon fibers , electrosynthesis , chemistry , galvanic anode , chemical engineering , electrode , electrochemistry , composite material , organic chemistry , composite number , engineering
Cathode and catholyte are usually optimized to improve microbial electrosynthesis process, whereas the anodic counter reaction was not systematically investigated and optimized for these applications yet. Nevertheless, the anolyte and especially the anode material can limit the cathodic bioelectrochemical process. This paper compares for the first time the performance of different anode materials as counter electrodes for a cathodic bioelectrochemical process, the bioelectromethanogenesis. It was observed that depending on the anode material the cathodic methane production varies from 0.96 µmol/d with a carbon fabric anode to 25.44 µmol/d with a carbon felt anode of the same geometrical surface area. The used anolyte also affected the methane production rate at the cathode. Especially, the pH of the anolyte showed an impact on the system; an anolyte with pH 5 produced up to 2.0 times more methane compared to one with pH 8.5. The proton availability is discussed as one reason for this effect. Although some of the measured effects cannot be explained completely so far this study advises researchers to strongly consider the anode impact during process development and optimization of a cathodic bioelectrochemical synthesis process.