Modeling of Sustainable Base Production by Microbial Electrolysis Cell

A predictive model for the microbial/electrochemical base formation from wastewater was established and compared to experimental conditions within a microbial electrolysis cell. A Na2SO4/K2SO4 anolyte showed that model prediction matched experimental results. Using Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, a strong base (pH approximate to 13) was generated using applied voltages between 0.3 and 1.1V. Due to the use of bicarbonate, the pH value in the anolyte remained unchanged, which is required to maintain microbial activity.