Microbial electrolysis cells and methods for the production of chemical products
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A microbial electrolysis cell, comprising:
- a high surface-area brush anode comprising a plurality of brush fibers emanating from a conductive wire;
a cathode;
a power source operatively connected to the brush anode and the cathode;
an anion exchange membrane separating the brush anode from the cathode, wherein the cathode and the anion exchange membrane form a substantially cylindrical assembly and wherein the brush anode is spirally wound onto the cylindrical assembly to form a substantially cylindrical electrolysis cell; and
a reaction chamber containing the substantially cylindrical electrolysis cell,wherein a separation distance between the brush anode and the cathode is not greater than about 1.5 cm, and wherein the anion exchange membrane operatively separates the reaction chamber into an anode chamber containing the brush anode and a cathode chamber containing the cathode.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A microbial electrolysis cell having a brush anode is described. A method of producing products, such as hydrogen, at the cathode of the microbial electrolysis cell is also provided. The microbial electrolysis cell is configured in a cylindrical shape having an anode, cathode and anion exchange membrane all disposed concentrically. A brush anode spirally wound around the outside of the cylindrical microbial electrolysis cell is described. The method may include sparging the anode and/or cathode with air in some cases. In addition, CO2-containing gas may be injected into a cathode chamber to reduce pH is some cases.
12 Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A microbial electrolysis cell, comprising:
-
a high surface-area brush anode comprising a plurality of brush fibers emanating from a conductive wire; a cathode; a power source operatively connected to the brush anode and the cathode; an anion exchange membrane separating the brush anode from the cathode, wherein the cathode and the anion exchange membrane form a substantially cylindrical assembly and wherein the brush anode is spirally wound onto the cylindrical assembly to form a substantially cylindrical electrolysis cell; and a reaction chamber containing the substantially cylindrical electrolysis cell, wherein a separation distance between the brush anode and the cathode is not greater than about 1.5 cm, and wherein the anion exchange membrane operatively separates the reaction chamber into an anode chamber containing the brush anode and a cathode chamber containing the cathode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A multi-module microbial electrolysis cell treatment apparatus, comprising:
-
a treatment tank having an inlet for influent and an outlet for effluent; and a plurality of cylindrical microbial electrolysis cells operatively disposed within the treatment tank, the microbial electrolysis cells comprising; a high surface-area brush anode comprising a plurality of brush fibers emanating from a conductive wire; a cathode; a power source operatively connected to the brush anode and the cathode; and an anion exchange membrane separating the brush anode from the cathode, wherein the cathode and the anion exchange membrane form a substantially cylindrical assembly and wherein the brush anode is spirally wound onto the cylindrical assembly to form the cylindrical microbial electrolysis cells, wherein a separation distance between the brush anode and the cathode is not greater than about 1.5 cm and wherein the anion exchange membrane operatively separates the influent from the effluent in the treatment tank. - View Dependent Claims (12)
-
Specification