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Hydrogen Production and Utilization in a Membrane Reactor
Published on: March 10, 2023
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Hydrogen production from continuous flow, microbial reverse-electrodialysis electrolysis cells treating fermentation
Valerie J Watson1, Marta Hatzell2, Bruce E Logan1
1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
Bioresource Technology
|June 9, 2015
Summary
Microbial reverse-electrodialysis electrolysis cells (MRECs) can generate hydrogen gas from wastewater without external power. Optimizing cell pairs and hydraulic retention time is key for efficient hydrogen production and COD removal.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Electrochemistry
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Wastewater treatment presents challenges in energy consumption and resource recovery.
- Microbial electrochemical technologies offer potential for sustainable energy generation from organic waste.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of a microbial reverse-electrodialysis electrolysis cell (MREC) for hydrogen gas production from fermentation wastewater.
- To optimize MREC performance by adjusting the number of cell pairs and hydraulic retention time (HRT).
Main Methods:
- Utilized a microbial reverse-electrodialysis electrolysis cell (MREC) with varying numbers of cell pairs.
- Adjusted the anolyte hydraulic retention time (HRT) to optimize chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal and anode potential stability.
- Quantified hydrogen production rates, COD removal efficiency, and coulombic efficiency.
Main Results:
- Doubled maximum current from 60 to 120 A/m³ by increasing cell pairs from 5 to 10.
- Decreased HRT from 24 to 12 h for stable anode potentials and faster COD removal.
- Achieved 0.9±0.1 L H₂/Lreactor/d hydrogen production with 58±5% COD removal and 74±5% coulombic efficiency at HRT=8 h.
Conclusions:
- MRECs can produce hydrogen gas from fermentation wastewater without additional electrical energy input.
- Consistent hydrogen production is achievable with MRECs when effluent anolyte COD concentrations ensure stable anode potentials.
- Optimizing MREC configuration and operating parameters enhances both hydrogen generation and wastewater treatment.
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