Microbial Fuel: Potent Alternative Energy Resource

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Because of modernization of world there could be identified a number of problems out of which, destruction of resources and their depletion is the key one. In fact, as a consequence of blind exploitation of natural reserves (like; fossil fuels) their quantities have been reduced significantly thus; there is a huge demand of alternative energy resources. Another reason of such demand is pollution caused by over-exploitation of fossil fuels because of which, our surroundings are being destroyed in a quick manner.

To conquer such challenges, researchers are constantly trying to explore novel resources of energy that could be categorized as; renewable and eco- friendly. Though, it’s a fact that numerous such reserves have been discovered so far for instance; solar energy and wind energy, but according to experts, several limitations are also linked with them like; indefinite nature, technical obstructions, and questions raised by conservationists who consider safety of surroundings more important than development (Farrar et al., 2003). So; what I would like to suggest here is “Application of microbes for generation of energy”.

Indeed, microbes have been blessed by nature in terms of vast metabolic activities that could be shown by them. Even they can generate such chemicals via metabolic transformation of biomass (variable by nature as shown in figure) that might be utilized further for the purpose of power- generation for instance; bio-gas, bio-ethanol, bio-butanol, bio-hydrogen, and oilgae.

How these chemicals may be produced, utilized, and what are the positive and/or negative aspects linked with them it could be understood as follows: (a) Bio-hydrogen may be applied for electricity-generation in hydrogen fuel- cells, but its existing production cannot be considered sufficient because of the cost of reactors required for generation of photochemical, and due to the insufficient yields achieved through anaerobic fermentation, (b) Bio-ethanol can be produced predominantly with the help of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, but the substrates used by this creature as food are limited thus; it could be grown on a variety of food-sources only with the help of genetic engineering, (c) Production of Bio-gas may be performed via anaerobic biodegradation of waste organic stuff, but it can be used as fuel mainly in Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems, and (d) Oil can be extracted from Microalgae (well-known as; Oilgae) and could be utilized for construction of biodiesel, but it cannot be classified as an economical energy-reserve. In addition to above, lack of proper tools and techniques is another problem related with its development as energy resource.

Despite the fact that microbes’ based fuels have their own limitations, we may adopt Bio-butanol (can be generated primarily with the help of Clostridia which could exploit a number of carbohydrate resources to create such products that might be used for extraction of energy) as an alternative source of energy (Atsumi et al., 2008). Major advantages linked with this energy-resource are:

1. It can be mixed with gasoline at higher quantity than ethanol for its application in standard vehicle engines. Additionally, its energy content is almost equivalent to ethanol and it can be produced through a range of feed- stocks hence; might be termed as an outstanding economical choice.

2. Further, possibility of segregation of Bio-butanol from gasoline in presence of moisture is less in comparison to ethanol hence; it could be used with the help of existing industrial infrastructure without any alteration in facilities related with mixing, storage, and pumping etc. Additionally, its transportation is more convenient than other existing bio-fuels (Boehlein et al., 2009).

3. There is no need to use gasoline base blends (inhibit liberation of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)) with it because, it does not increase the vapor-pressure when mixed with gasoline.

4. In addition to above, Bio-butanol is well-matched to present vehicle and engine systems because of which, automakers do not need to compromise on performance so that, the environmental laws could be obeyed (Hankamer et al., 2007).

Thus; in my opinion, Research & Development processes must be encouraged to improve this renewable, economical, and eco-friendly energy reserve with the intention that, we could not be compelled to start our return trip towards the age when approaches, practices, and/or tools were not advanced and we were destined to reside in caves.

References

Atsumi S., Cann A. F., Connor M. R., Shen C. R., Smith K. M., Brynildsen M. P., Chou K. J. Y., Hanai T., Liao J. C. (2008). Metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli for 1-butanol production. Metab. Eng. 10:305–311.

Boehlein S. K., Shaw J. R., Stewart J. D., Hannah L. C. (2009). Characterization of an autonomously activated plant ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase. Plant Physiol. 149:318–326.

Hankamer B., Lehr F., Rupprecht J., Mussgnug J. H., Posten C., Kruse O. (2007). Photosynthetic biomass and H2 production by green algae: from bioengineering to bioreactor scale-up. Physiol. Plant. 131:10–21.