Use of glycerol in microbial fuel cells

NSERC资助的这项研究计划的主要目标是开发使用生物柴油生产中的甘油作为燃料来源的微生物燃料电池技术。甘油是生物柴油生产的大量副产品；然而，现有市场的甘油供应是稳固的，因此生物柴油产量的增加导致作为一种商品的甘油贬值。加拿大政府正在通过其可再生燃料战略投资扩大生物柴油和其他可再生燃料的生产和使用，其中最引人注目的是2007年宣布的“生物燃料生态能源倡议”，该倡议将为扩大加拿大的可再生燃料生产提供高达15亿美元的资金。扩大生物柴油的生产，进而扩大甘油的生产，将意味着新的甘油转化技术可能产生重大的经济影响。

The primary objective of this NSERC-funded research program is the development of microbial fuel cell technology using glycerol from biodiesel production as the fuel source. Glycerol is a high-volume co-product of biodiesel production; however, the supply of glycerol for existing markets is well-established, so increases in biodiesel production are leading to the devaluation of glycerol as a commodity. The Canadian government is investing in expanded production and use of biodiesel and other renewable fuels through its Renewable Fuels Strategy, most notable the "ecoENERGY for Biofuels Initiative" announced in 2007 which will contribute up to $1.5 billion for expansion of renewable fuel production in Canada. Expanded production of biodiesel, and consequently of glycerol, will mean that new glycerol conversion technologies could have a significant economic impact.