BIOCHEMICAL FUEL CELLS.
Abstract
The electro-oxidation of hydrogen and formic acid, two products of potentially useful bi ological reactions, were investigated under con ditions compatible with, but independent of, biological systems. The best performance, to date, of any biological fuel tested was obtained wrmic acid. This electrode supported 10 mA/sq cm at a polarization of 260 mV under conditions compatible with E. coli. Improved and consistent growth of Cl. butyricum were obtained with AC broth supplemented with thiogly collate. Hydrogen production as a function of growth, as well as the best time to harvest cells for optimum hydrogen production, were also de termined for this organism. The electrochemical behavior of the E. coli-glucose and the Cl. butyricum-glucose systems, two potentially useful bioelectrodes, were investigated using dispersed suspensions of the bacteria. The limiting cur rent density and the rate of hydrogen production were determined for both of these systems as a function of bacterial concentration. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0426937
Entities
People
- H.p. Silverman
- J.m. Brake
- W.r. Momyer