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Stable operation of microbial fuel cells at low temperatures (5–10 °C) with light exposure and its anodic microbial analysis

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Abstract

Performances of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) were studied at 5–10 and 25–30 °C. Results showed stable operation of the MFCs at low temperatures with only slight reductions of voltage and power generation (11 versus 14 % for double-chamber MFC, while 14 versus 21 % for single-chamber MFC, 1,000 Ω) compared to those at mesophilic temperatures. MFCs operated at low temperatures showed lower COD removal rates accompanied by higher coulombic efficiencies (CEs). PCR-DGGE analysis revealed that psychrotrophic microbes (mainly Arcobacter, Pseudomonas, and Geobacter) dominated on anodes of the MFCs at low temperatures. Interestingly, light-induced red substances appeared on anode of the MFCs operated at low temperature and were proven to be the main anodic microbes (Arcobacter and Pseudomonas). Co-existence of the aforementioned microbes could assist stable low-temperature operation of the MFCs. Cyclic voltammetry analysis supported the results of the CE and DGGE. Stable performance of MFCs at low temperatures might be achieved by the control of anodic bacteria.

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Abbreviations

CE:

Coulombic efficiency

CV:

Cyclic voltammetry

DGGE:

Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis

MFC:

Microbial fuel cell

PEM:

Proton exchange membrane

PCR:

Polymerase chain reaction

SCE:

Saturated calomel electrode

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (No. 30920130122007), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 50978136, 51208258 and 51378261), the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (No. BK2011717), and the Major Project of Water Pollution Control and Management Technology of China (No. 2012ZX 07101-003-001).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094, Jiangsu, China

    Libin Zhang, Jinyou Shen & Lianjun Wang

  2. State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China

    Lili Ding, Ke Xu & Hongqiang Ren

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  1. Libin Zhang
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  2. Jinyou Shen
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  3. Lianjun Wang
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  4. Lili Ding
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  5. Ke Xu
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Correspondence to Lianjun Wang or Hongqiang Ren.

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Zhang, L., Shen, J., Wang, L. et al. Stable operation of microbial fuel cells at low temperatures (5–10 °C) with light exposure and its anodic microbial analysis. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 37, 819–827 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-013-1054-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-013-1054-8

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