Improved Microbial Electrolysis Cell Hydrogen Production by Hybridization with a TiO2 Nanotube Array Photoanode

Kim, Ki Nam; Lee, Sung Hyun; Kim, Hwapyong; Park, Young Ho; In, Su‐Il

doi:10.3390/en11113184

Cited by 28 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 76 publications

(86 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…MECs provide a different approach for centralized wastewater treatment systems. According to this energy conversion estimate, the chemical energy potential of organic components constituting wastewater's core is roughly 9.3-fold higher than the energy required to treat it [40]. There is a notable increase in employing biomass energy to get energy from biological anaerobic wastewater treatment because of the simplicity and resilience of this technique [41].…”

Section: Microbial Electrolysis Cell Mechanism For Wastewater Treatment With Simultaneous Hydrogen Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Electrically conductive current collectors of metals are employed as electron acceptors, to overwhelm poor conductivity. Titanium wire is often utilized because of its corrosion resistance [40]. Additionally, the capability to simulate interfacial microbial colonies allows for improved current density by developing a beneficial microenvironment for electron transport that compensates for the decreased conductivity [112].…”

Section: Electrode Materials 731 Anode Materialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Recent Developments in Microbial Electrolysis Cell-Based Biohydrogen Production Utilizing Wastewater as a Feedstock

Dange

Pandit

Jadhav³

et al. 2021

Sustainability

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Carbon constraints, as well as the growing hazard of greenhouse gas emissions, have accelerated research into all possible renewable energy and fuel sources. Microbial electrolysis cells (MECs), a novel technology able to convert soluble organic matter into energy such as hydrogen gas, represent the most recent breakthrough. While research into energy recovery from wastewater using microbial electrolysis cells is fascinating and a carbon-neutral technology that is still mostly limited to lab-scale applications, much more work on improving the function of microbial electrolysis cells would be required to expand their use in many of these applications. The present limiting issues for effective scaling up of the manufacturing process include the high manufacturing costs of microbial electrolysis cells, their high internal resistance and methanogenesis, and membrane/cathode biofouling. This paper examines the evolution of microbial electrolysis cell technology in terms of hydrogen yield, operational aspects that impact total hydrogen output in optimization studies, and important information on the efficiency of the processes. Moreover, life-cycle assessment of MEC technology in comparison to other technologies has been discussed. According to the results, MEC is at technology readiness level (TRL) 5, which means that it is ready for industrial development, and, according to the techno-economics, it may be commercialized soon due to its carbon-neutral qualities.

show abstract

Section: Microbial Electrolysis Cell Mechanism For Wastewater Treatment With Simultaneous Hydrogen Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Electrode Materials 731 Anode Materialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent Developments in Microbial Electrolysis Cell-Based Biohydrogen Production Utilizing Wastewater as a Feedstock

Dange

Pandit

Jadhav³

et al. 2021

Sustainability

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…MECs offer an alternative to centralised wastewater treatment methods. The embodied chemical energy potential of wastewater, generated from its organic components, is approximately 9.3 times greater than the energy needed to treat it [10]. Harnessing energy from biomass using biological anaerobic wastewater treatment methods are already popular due to their relative simplicity and robustness [11].…”

Section: Mechanism Of Microbial Electrolysis Cells For Wastewater Trementioning

confidence: 99%

Microbial Electrolysis Cells for Decentralised Wastewater Treatment: The Next Steps

Fudge

Bulmer²,

Bowman³

et al. 2021

Water

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Traditional wastewater treatment methods have become aged and inefficient, meaning alternative methods are essential to protect the environment and ensure water and energy security worldwide. The use of microbial electrolysis cells (MEC) for wastewater treatment provides an innovative alternative, working towards circular wastewater treatment for energy production. This study evaluates the factors hindering industrial adoption of this technology and proposes the next steps for further research and development. Existing pilot-scale investigations are studied to critically assess the main limitations, focusing on the electrode material, feedstock, system design and inoculation and what steps need to be taken for industrial adoption of the technology. It was found that high strength influents lead to an increase in energy production, improving economic viability; however, large variations in waste streams indicated that a homogenous solution to wastewater treatment is unlikely with changes to the MEC system specific to different waste streams. The current capital cost of implementing MECs is high and reducing the cost of the electrodes should be a priority. Previous pilot-scale studies have predominantly used carbon-based materials. Significant reductions in relative performance are observed when electrodes increase in size. Inoculation time was found to be a significant barrier to quick operational performance. Economic analysis of the technology indicated that MECs offer an attractive option for wastewater treatment, namely greater energy production and improved treatment efficiency. However, a significant reduction in capital cost is necessary to make this economically viable. MEC based systems should offer improvements in system reliability, reduced downtime, improved treatment rates and improved energy return. Discussion of the merits of H2 or CH4 production indicates that an initial focus on methane production could provide a stepping-stone in the adoption of this technology while the hydrogen market matures.

show abstract

“…MEC still are mainly researched at the laboratory scale, but also some pilot-scale devices have been developed to validate the MEC utilization in the real industry [434]. The employment of microbial electrolysis cells fed with domestic wastewater is the most researched application.…”

Section: Microbial Electrolysis Cellsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Green Synthetic Fuels: Renewable Routes for the Conversion of Non-Fossil Feedstocks into Gaseous Fuels and Their End Uses

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Innovative renewable routes are potentially able to sustain the transition to a decarbonized energy economy. Green synthetic fuels, including hydrogen and natural gas, are considered viable alternatives to fossil fuels. Indeed, they play a fundamental role in those sectors that are difficult to electrify (e.g., road mobility or high-heat industrial processes), are capable of mitigating problems related to flexibility and instantaneous balance of the electric grid, are suitable for large-size and long-term storage and can be transported through the gas network. This article is an overview of the overall supply chain, including production, transport, storage and end uses. Available fuel conversion technologies use renewable energy for the catalytic conversion of non-fossil feedstocks into hydrogen and syngas. We will show how relevant technologies involve thermochemical, electrochemical and photochemical processes. The syngas quality can be improved by catalytic CO and CO2 methanation reactions for the generation of synthetic natural gas. Finally, the produced gaseous fuels could follow several pathways for transport and lead to different final uses. Therefore, storage alternatives and gas interchangeability requirements for the safe injection of green fuels in the natural gas network and fuel cells are outlined. Nevertheless, the effects of gas quality on combustion emissions and safety are considered.

show abstract

Improved Microbial Electrolysis Cell Hydrogen Production by Hybridization with a TiO2 Nanotube Array Photoanode

Cited by 28 publications

References 76 publications

Recent Developments in Microbial Electrolysis Cell-Based Biohydrogen Production Utilizing Wastewater as a Feedstock

Recent Developments in Microbial Electrolysis Cell-Based Biohydrogen Production Utilizing Wastewater as a Feedstock

Microbial Electrolysis Cells for Decentralised Wastewater Treatment: The Next Steps

Green Synthetic Fuels: Renewable Routes for the Conversion of Non-Fossil Feedstocks into Gaseous Fuels and Their End Uses

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About