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Theory of Ion and Electron Transport Coupled with Biochemical Conversions in an Electroactive Biofilm

2019; American Physical Society; Volume: 12; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1103/physrevapplied.12.014018

2331-7043

Aymar C. L. de Lichtervelde, Annemiek ter Heijne, H.V.M. Hamelers, P. M. Biesheuvel, J.E. Dykstra,

Membrane-based Ion Separation Techniques

Bioelectrochemical systems are an emerging technology for the recovery of electrical energy and chemicals from aqueous organic streams. Organic compounds are converted by bacteria that form a biofilm on the electrodes. To improve performance, a better understanding of the physical processes in these biofilms is needed. This study uses physics-based modeling to gain a theoretical understanding of the coupled transport and conversion processes of operating bioelectrochemical systems. Transport of organic molecules and electrons inside the biofilm does $n\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}o\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}t$ limit current production significantly, but the accumulation of protons inside the biofilm can be a limiting factor.