Improved performance of the microbial electrolysis desalination and chemical-production cell using the stack structure

• Published in: Bioresource technology 2012-07, Vol.116, p.507-511
• Main Authors: Chen, Shanshan, Liu, Guangli, Zhang, Renduo, Qin, Bangyu, Luo, Yong, Hou, Yanping
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bacteria - metabolism; Bioelectric Energy Sources - standards; Desalination; Electric potential; Electricity; Electrolysis; Electrolysis - methods; Electrolysis - standards; Electrolytic cells; MEDCC; Membrane spacing; Membranes; Membranes, Artificial; Microorganisms; Salinity; Seawater - chemistry; Stack structure; Stacks; Voltage
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2012.03.073

► The AEM–CEM stack structure enhanced the desalination rate of MEDCC. ► The BPM–AEM–CEM stacking enhanced the desalination and chemical-production rates. ► Decrease of the membrane spacings from 12 to 1.5mm enhanced the desalination rate. The microbial electrolysis desalination and chemical-production cell (MEDCC) is a device to desalinate seawater, and produce acid and alkali. The objective of this study was to enhance the desalination and chemical-production performance of the MEDCC using two types of stack structure. Experiments were conducted with different membrane spacings, numbers of desalination chambers and applied voltages. Results showed that the stack construction in the MEDCC enhanced the desalination and chemical-production rates. The maximal desalination rate of 0.58±0.02mmol/h, which was 43% higher than that in the MEDCC, was achieved in the four-desalination-chamber MEDCC with the AEM–CEM stack structure and the membrane spacing of 1.5mm. The maximal acid- and alkali-production rates of 0.079±0.006 and 0.13±0.02mmol/h, which were 46% and 8% higher than that in the MEDCC, respectively, were achieved in the two-desalination-chamber MEDCC with the BPM–AEM–CEM stack structure and the membrane spacing of 3mm.