Coupling a bioelectrochemical cell with a redox flow battery for sustainable energy production and storage

Abstract

[Excerpt] Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) are devices capable to convert chemical energy into electricity through the degradation of different organic compounds using electroactive bacteria as biocatalyst. The ability of microorganisms to form biofilms in electrode surfaces allows the transport of electrons, resultant from the oxidation of carbon sources, to an terminal electron acceptor [1]. Redox flow batteries (RFB) are electrochemical systems applied in the conversion and storage of chemical energy in electricity. Redox chemical species (in soluble form) are the main responsible for the energy storage [2]. Quinones are electroactive molecules applied in RFB because of their chemical and physical properties. The aim of this work is to develop an innovative technology to generate and storage the energy resultant from BES. The strategy outlined is coupling a BES with a RFB that present potential to combine bioenergy production and storage in a microbially charged redox flow battery. [...]