Electron recycle concept in a microbial electrolysis cell for biogas upgrading

Abstract An innovative strategy to control the metabolism of microorganisms is offered by bioelectrochemical systems in which a graphite-based cathode can be used as electron donor or acceptor. An advanced microbial electrolysis cell is developed to combine CO2 removal from a synthetic biogas in a biocathode and the organic matter oxidation in a bioanode. A novel biogas upgrading approach is presented in which an electron recycle concept is obtained by the combination of CO2 reduction and oxidation. While the bioelectrochemical anodic chemical oxygen demand oxidation provides the electrons necessary for the cathodic CO2 reduction into methane and acetate, the acetate produced by acetogenic microorganisms migrates from the cathode to the anode being oxidized again by the bioanode.