• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.201-209
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• 2016

Theoretical maximum methane yield of glucose at STP (1 atm, $0^{\circ}C$) is 0.35 L $CH_4/g$ COD. However, most researched actual methane yields of anaerobic digester (AD) on lab scale is lower than theoretical ones. A wide range of them have been reported according to experiments methods and types of organic matters. Recent year, a MET (Microbial electrochemical technology) is a promising technology for producing sustainable bio energies from AD via rapid degradation of high concentration organic wastes, VFAs (Volatile Fatty Acids), toxic materials and non-degradable organic matters with electrochemical reactions. In this study, methane yields of food waste leachate and sewage waste sludge were evaluated by using BMP (Biochemical Methane Potential) and continuous AD tests. As the results, methane production volume from the anaerobic digester equipped with MET (AD + MET) was higher than conventional AD in the ratio of 2 to 3 times. The actual methane yields from all experiments were lower than those of theoretical value of glucose. The methane yield, however, from the AD + MET occurred similar to the theoretical one. Moreover, biogas compositions of AD and AD + MET were similar. Consequently, methane production from anaerobic digester with MET increased from the result of higher organic removal efficiency, while, further researches should be required for investigating methane production mechanisms in the anaerobic digester with MET.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.297-302
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• 2016

Microbial electrochemical technology (MET) has recently been studied to improve the efficiency of a traditional anaerobic digestion (AD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of MET in the system when MET was combined with traditional AD (i.e., AD-MET). Electrodes used in the MET were Cu coated graphite electrodes. They were supplied with a voltage of 0.3 V. AD started to generate methane in 80 days. But AD-MET started to generate methane from the initial operation after the system started. It was observed that AD-MET reached steady state faster and produced higher methane yield than AD. During the steady state, the average daily methane productions in AD and AD-MET were 2.3L/d and 4.9L/d, respectively. Methane yields were 0.07-CH₄/g‧CODre in AD and 0.25L-CH₄/g‧CODre in AD-MET. In AD-MET, the production rates of total volatile fatty acids (TVFAs) and soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) were 0.12 mg TVFAs/mg VS‧d and 0.35 mg SCOD/mg VS‧d, respectively. They were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those in AD. However, the concentrations of residual TVFAs in both systems were not significantly (p > 0.05) different from each other, confirming that methane conversion in AD-MET was greater than that in AD.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.82-88
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• 2017

MET (Microbial Electrochemical Technology), such as MFC (Microbial Fuel Cell) and MEC (Microbial Electrolysis Cell), is a promising technology for producing sustainable biogas from an anaerobic digester (AD). At current stage, however, the most likely limiting factors, large internal resistances, should be overcome for successful scale up of this technology. Various researchers reported that application of electrode materials containing high current density, increase of ion strength and conductivity, configuration of electrode are good methods for minimizing internal resistances. Recently, stainless steel is receiving great attention because of not only high performance and durability but also low cost. Therefore, in this study, we evaluate electrochemical characteristics and biogas production rate using various electrode materials and configuration (graphite carbon coated with catalysts ($GC-C_M$) or not (GC), stainless steel mesh (SUS-M) and plate (SUS-P)). As the results, current densities of $GC-C_M$, GC, SUS-P, SUS-M were 2.03, 1.36, 1.04, $1.13A/m^2$, respectively. Methane yields of $GC-C_M$, GC, SUS-P, SUS-M were 0.27, 0.14, 0.19, 0.21 $L-CH_4/g-COD_{rem}$., respectively. Stainless steel shows high current density and methane yield, which are similar as graphite carbon coated with catalysts.