Phototrophs in alternative energy
https://doi.org/10.21285/2227-2925-2021-11-3-358-371
Abstract
Abstract: The role of phototrophs is examined in alternative energy, with the main emphasis on unicellular algae. Particular attention is paid to the use of phototrophs for generating electricity using biofuel cells (plant and enzymatic biofuel cells are discussed). This study focuses on microbial fuel cells (MFC), which, along with electric power, allow obtaining biofuels and biohydrogen. This article explains the factors limiting the MFC power, and ways of overcoming them. For example, it seems promising to develop various photobioreactors in order to reduce the loss of MFC power due to overvoltage. The use of microphototrophs in MFC has led to the development of photosynthetic MFC (or PhotoMFC) through the design of autotrophic photobioreactors with forced illumination. They allow generating oxygen through photosynthesis, both in situ and ex situ, by recirculating oxygen from the photobioreactor to the cathode chamber. Artificial redox mediators can be used here, transferring electrons directly from the non-catalytic cathode to O2, formed as a result of the photosynthetic activity of algae. Biologically catalyzed cathodes have been proven to generate less power than chemical catalysts. It is noted, that the MFC installations with the micro-algae allow utilizing a wider circle of different connections – the components of effluents and withdrawals: organic acids, sugar, alcohols, fats and other substrata. The use of phototrophs for the production of biofuels is of special interest. Several different types of renewable biofuels can be produced from microalgae, the production of which can be combined with wastewater treatment, CO2 capture and production of various compounds.
Keywords
Supporting agencies: The work was financially supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (project no. 20-18-50330 “Phototrophs in alternative energetics”).
About the Authors
M. S. Konovalo
Irkutsk State University,
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Mikhail S. Konovalov, Researcher
1, Karl Marx St., Irkutsk, 664003
E. Yu. Konovalova
Irkutsk State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Elena Yu. Konovalova, Researcher
1, Karl Marx St., Irkutsk, 664003
I. N. Egorova
Siberian Institute of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry SB RAS
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Irina N. Egorova, Cand. Sci. (Biology), Senior Researcher
132, Lermontov St., Irkutsk, 664033
G. O. Zhdanova
Irkutsk State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Galina O. Zhdanova, Researcher
1, Karl Marx St., Irkutsk, 664003
D. I. Stom
Irkutsk State University;
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Devard I. Stom, Dr. Sci. (Biology), Professor, Head of the laboratory of Aquatic Toxicology; Chief Researcher, Baikal Museum ISC
1, Karl Marx St., Irkutsk, 664003
1, Academicheskaya St., Listvyanka, 664520
1, Academicheskaya St., Listvyanka, 664520
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For citations:
Konovalo M.S., Konovalova E.Yu., Egorova I.N., Zhdanova G.O., Stom D.I. Phototrophs in alternative energy. Proceedings of Universities. Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology. 2021;11(3):358-371. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.21285/2227-2925-2021-11-3-358-371
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