title: Closed circuitry operation influence on microbial electrofermentation: Proton/electron effluxes on electro-fuels productivity.
abstract: A novel biocatalyzed electrofermentor (BEF) was designed which uncovers the intricate role of biocatalyst involved in cogeneration of electro-fuels (hydrogen and electricity). The specific role of external resistance (Rext, electrical load) on the performance of BEF was evaluated. Four BEFs were operated separately with different resistances (25, 50, 100 and 200 Ω) at an organic load of 5 g/L. Among the tested conditions, external resistance (R3) with 100 Ω revealed maximum power and cumulative H2 production (148 mW and 450 mL, respectively). The competence of closed circuitry comparatively excelled because it facilitates congenial ambiance for the enriched EAB (electroactive bacteria) resulting high rate of metabolic activity that paves way for higher substrate degradation and electro-fuel productivity. Probing of electron kinetics was studied using voltammetric analyses wherein electron transfer by redox proteins was noticed. The designed BEF is found to be sustainable system for harnessing renewable energy through wastewater treatment.
authors.affiliation: Bioengineering and Environmental Sciences (BEES), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India.
authors.forename: G N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Nikhil
authors.affiliation: Bioengineering and Environmental Sciences (BEES), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Venkata Subhash
authors.affiliation: Bioengineering and Environmental Sciences (BEES), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India.
authors.forename: Dileep Kumar
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Yeruva
authors.affiliation: Bioengineering and Environmental Sciences (BEES), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India. Electronic address: vmohan_s@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Venkata Mohan
mesh_terms: D055162:Biocatalysis; D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources; D056804:Biofuels / Q000382:microbiology*; D057919:Biological Oxygen Demand Analysis; D004560:Electricity; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D004583:Electrons; D005285:Fermentation; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism; D011522:Protons; D012995:Solubility
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D011522:Protons; D010088:Oxidoreductases
keywords: Bioelectricity; Bioelectrochemical systems (BES); Biohydrogen; Electron capture; Electron sink