Biofuel waste recycled for electricity
7 Sep 2012
Distillers Dried Grain with Solubles (DDGS) is a waste product from bioethanol production that is commonly used as a low-cost animal feed.
Researchers from the University of Surrey incorporated DDGS together with bacteria-inoculated sludge from a waste water treatment plant in their microbial fuel cell.
The design of the fuel cell meant that the bacteria, which used the DDGS for growth, were physically separated from their oxygen supply.
This meant that the bacteria were forced into sending electrons around a circuit leading to a supply of oxygen. By tapping into this electron flow, electricity could be generated from the waste.
“DDGS is potentially one of the most abundant waste products in the UK. As the biofuel industry expands the supply of DDGS will become more abundant,” said Lisa Buddrus who is carrying out the research.
“The next step for us is to identify the electrogenic bacterial species that grow on DDGS. Furthermore, by looking at genetics across this microbial community, we will be able to better understand the metabolic processes and essential genes involved in electron liberation and transfer.” she said.
The researchers claim their work could help develop self-powered devices that would clean up waste water and be used to survey weather in extreme environments.
