ABSTRACT
Bioelectrochemical biorefining is a new concept that has evolved from the field of microbial fuel cells and electrolysis cells. It targets integration of microbial electrochemical cells into the biorefinery (Figure 16.1). The idea is to use low-value resources to generate electrons and then use the electrons to produce value-added products. This can enable production of fuels and chemicals from waste and biomass using electrons as intermediates. Thus the name bioelectrochemical biorefining. Electrons are the simplest and most common energy carriers of many energy transfer systems and energetic molecules. Thus, using them as the vehicle for conversion of existing renewable resources into products needed for the 21st century is the primary goal of this marriage between microbial electrochemical technology and biorefineries.
