Scaling Up of Microbial Electrochemical Systems: From Reality to Scalability is the first book of its kind to focus on scaling up of microbial electrochemical systems (MES) and the unique challenges faced when moving towards practical applications using this technology. This book emphasizes an understanding of the current limitations of MES technology and suggests a way forward towards onsite applications of MES for practical use. It includes the basics of MES as well as success stories and case studies of MES in the direction of practical applications. This book will give a new direction to energy researchers, scientists and policymakers working on field applications of microbial electrochemical systems—microbial fuel cells, microbial electrolysis cells, microbial electrosynthesis cells, and more. - Promotes the advancement of microbial electrochemical systems, from lab scale to field applications - Illustrates the challenges of scaling up using successive case studies - Provides the basics of MES technology to help deepen understanding of the subject - Addresses lifecycle analysis of MES technology to allow comparison with other conventional methods

In the context of wastewater treatment, Bioelectrochemical Systems (BESs) have gained considerable interest in the past few years, and several BES processes are on the brink of application to this area. This book, written by a large number of world experts in the different sub-topics, describes the different aspects and processes relevant to their development. Bioelectrochemical Systems (BESs) use micro-organisms to catalyze an oxidation and/or reduction reaction at an anodic and cathodic electrode respectively. Briefly, at an anode oxidation of organic and inorganic electron donors can occur. Prime examples of such electron donors are waste organics and sulfides. At the cathode, an electron acceptor such as oxygen or nitrate can be reduced. The anode and the cathode are connected through an electrical circuit. If electrical power is harvested from this circuit, the system is called a Microbial Fuel Cell; if electrical power is invested, the system is called a Microbial Electrolysis Cell. The overall framework of bio-energy and bio-fuels is discussed. A number of chapters discuss the basics – microbiology, microbial ecology, electrochemistry, technology and materials development. The book continues by highlighting the plurality of processes based on BES technology already in existence, going from wastewater based reactors to sediment based bio-batteries. The integration of BESs into existing water or process lines is discussed. Finally, an outlook is provided of how BES will fit within the emerging biorefinery area.

An introduction to the fundamental concepts and rules in bioelectrochemistry and explores latest advancements in the field Bioelectrochemical Interface Engineering offers a guide to this burgeoning interdisciplinary field. The authors—noted experts on the topic—present a detailed explanation of the field’s basic concepts, provide a fundamental understanding of the principle of electrocatalysis, electrochemical activity of the electroactive microorganisms, and mechanisms of electron transfer at electrode-electrolyte interfaces. They also explore the design and development of bioelectrochemical systems. The authors review recent advances in the field including: the development of new bioelectrochemical configurations, new electrode materials, electrode functionalization strategies, and extremophilic electroactive microorganisms. These current developments hold the promise of powering the systems in remote locations such as deep sea and extra-terrestrial space as well as powering implantable energy devices and controlled drug delivery. This important book: • Explores the fundamental concepts and rules in bioelectrochemistry and details the latest advancements • Presents principles of electrocatalysis, electroactive microorganisms, types and mechanisms of electron transfer at electrode-electrolyte interfaces, electron transfer kinetics in bioelectrocatalysis, and more • Covers microbial electrochemical systems and discusses bioelectrosynthesis and biosensors, and bioelectrochemical wastewater treatment • Reviews microbial biosensor, microfluidic and lab-on-chip devices, flexible electronics, and paper and stretchable electrodes Written for researchers, technicians, and students in chemistry, biology, energy and environmental science, Bioelectrochemical Interface Engineering provides a strong foundation to this advanced field by presenting the core concepts, basic principles, and newest advances.

This book addresses electro-fermentation for biofuel production and generation of high-value chemicals and biofuels using organic wastes. It covers the use of microbial biofilm and algae-based bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) for bioremediation and co-generation of valuable chemicals, including their practical applications. It explains BES design, integrated approaches to enhance process efficiency, and scaling-up technology for waste remediation, bio-electrogenesis, and resource recovery from wastewater. Features: Provides information regarding bioelectrochemical systems, mediated value-added chemical synthesis, and waste remediation and resource recovery approaches. Covers the use of microbial biofilm and algae-based bioelectrochemical systems for bioremediation and co-generation of valuable chemicals. Explains waste-to-energy related concepts to treat industrial effluents along with bioenergy generation. Deals with various engineering approaches for chemicals production in eco-friendly manner. Discusses emerging electro-fermentation technology. This book is aimed at senior undergraduates and researchers in industrial biotechnology, environmental science, civil engineering, chemical engineering, bioenergy and biofuels, and wastewater treatment.

This book serves as a manual of research techniques for electrochemically active biofilm research. Using examples from real biofilm research to illustrate the techniques used for electrochemically active biofilms, this book is of most use to researchers and educators studying microbial fuel cell and bioelectrochemical systems. The book emphasizes the theoretical principles of bioelectrochemistry, experimental procedures and tools useful in quantifying electron transfer processes in biofilms, and mathematical modeling of electron transfer in biofilms. It is divided into three sections: Biofilms: Microbiology and microbioelectrochemistry - Focuses on the microbiologic aspect of electrochemically active biofilms and details the key points of biofilm preparation and electrochemical measurement Electrochemical techniques to study electron transfer processes - Focuses on electrochemical characterization and data interpretation, highlighting key factors in the experimental procedures that affect reproducibility Applications - Focuses on applications of electrochemically active biofilms and development of custom tools to study electrochemically active biofilms. Chapters detail how to build the reactors for applications and measure parameters

This book is the first in a two-volume set devoted to bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) and the opportunities that they may offer in providing a green solution to growing energy demands worldwide. In this first volume, established research professionals explain the underlying principles and processes of BESs, providing a thorough introduction to these systems before proceeding to address the roles of cathode catalysts and biocatalysts, biofilms, heterotrophic denitrification, and nanotechnology approaches. This volume forms a sound foundation for understanding the potential industrial applications of this technology, which include in particular the generation of high-value chemicals and energy using organic wastes. These applications are the focus of the second volume, where readers will find up-to-date information on microbial fuel cells and the use of microbial biofilm- and algae-based bioelectrochemical systems for bioremediation and co-generation of valuable chemicals. The book is designed for a broad audience, including undergraduates, postgraduates, energy researchers/scientists, policymakers, and anyone else interested in the latest developments in this field.

This book addresses electro-fermentation for biofuel production and generation of high-value chemicals and biofuels using organic wastes. It covers the use of microbial biofilm and algae-based bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) for bioremediation and co-generation of valuable chemicals, including their practical applications. It explains BES design, integrated approaches to enhance process efficiency, and scaling-up technology for waste remediation, bio-electrogenesis, and resource recovery from wastewater. Features: Provides information regarding bioelectrochemical systems, mediated value-added chemical synthesis, and waste remediation and resource recovery approaches. Covers the use of microbial biofilm and algae-based bioelectrochemical systems for bioremediation and co-generation of valuable chemicals. Explains waste-to-energy related concepts to treat industrial effluents along with bioenergy generation. Deals with various engineering approaches for chemicals production in eco-friendly manner. Discusses emerging electro-fermentation technology. This book is aimed at senior undergraduates and researchers in industrial biotechnology, environmental science, civil engineering, chemical engineering, bioenergy and biofuels, and wastewater treatment.

This book is the second in a two-volume set devoted to bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) and the opportunities that they may offer in providing a green solution to growing energy demands worldwide. While the first volume explains principles and processes, in this volume established research professionals shed light on how this technology can be used to generate high-value chemicals and energy using organic wastes. Bioelectricity is generated in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) under oxygen-depleted conditions, where microbial bioconversion reactions transform organic wastes into electrons. Dedicated chapters focus on MFCs and state of the art advancements as well as current limitations. In addition, the book covers the use of microbial biofilm- and algae-based bioelectrochemical systems for bioremediation and co-generation of valuable chemicals. A thorough review of the performance of this technology and its possible industrial applications is presented. The book is designed for a broad audience, including undergraduates, postgraduates, energy researchers/scientists, policymakers, and anyone else interested in the latest developments in this field.

The increasing demand for energy worldwide, currently evaluated at 13 terawatts per year, has triggered a surge in research on alternative energy sources more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Bio-catalyzed electrochemical systems (BESs) are a rapidly growing biotechnology for sustainable production of bioenergy and/or value-added bioproducts using microorganisms as catalysts for bioelectrochemical reactions at the electrode surface. In the last decades, this biotechnology has been intensively studied and developed as a flexible and practical platform for multiple applications such as electricity production, wastewater treatment, pollutants remediation, desalination and production of biogas, biofuels, or other commodities. BESs could have a critical impact on societies in many spheres of activity and become one of the solutions to reform our petroleum-based economy. However, BESs research has so far been limited to lab scale with the notable exceptions of pilot scale microbial fuel cells for brewery and winery wastewater treatment coupled with electricity generation. In general, more knowledge has to be acquired to overcome the issues that are stymieing BESs development and commercialization. For example, it is critical to understand better microbial physiology including the mechanisms responsible for the transfer of electrons between the microbes and the electrodes to start optimizing the systems in a more rational manner. There are many BES processes and for each one of them there is a multitude of biological and electrochemical specifications to investigate and adjust such as the nature of the microbial platform, electrode materials, the reactor design, the substrate, the medium composition, and the operating conditions. The ultimate goal is to develop highly energy efficient BESs with a positive footprint on the environment while maintaining low cost and generating opportunities to create value. BESs are complex systems developed with elements found in multiple fields of science such as microbiology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, biochemistry, electrochemistry, material science and environmental engineering. Given the high volume of research activities going on in the field of BESs today, this e-book explores the current challenges, the more recent progresses, and the future perspectives of BESs technologies. The BESs discussed here include microbial fuel cells, microbial electrolysis cells, microbial electrosynthesis cells, microbial electroremediation cells, etc.

This study enhances microbial and chemical catalyses in bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) by designing and manufacturing new materials, elucidating the catalytic mechanisms, and applying them in wastewater treatment. As a novel environmental biotechnology, BESs can be used for treating wastewater and generating power, producing value-added products, and detoxifying contaminants. However, the catalytic efficiency of the electrode reaction is low these systems.