Improved hydrogen recovery in microbial electrolysis cells using intermittent energy input. (22nd January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cho, Si-Kyung; Lee, Myoung-Eun; Lee, Wontae; Ahn, Yongtae
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 44:Number 4(2019)
• Page Start: 2253
• Page End: 2257
• Publication Date: 2019-01-22
• Subjects: Microbial electrolysis cell -- Hydrogen production -- Intermittent energy input; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.07.025
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: Microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) is a bioelectrochemical technology that can produce hydrogen gas from various organic waste/wastewater. Extra voltage supply (>0.2 V) is required to overcome cathode overpotential for hydrogen evolution. In order to make MEC system more sustainable and practicable, it is necessary to minimize the external energy input or to develop other alternative energy sources. In this study, we aimed to improve the energy efficiency by intermittent energy supply to MECs (setting anode potential = −0.2 V). The overall gas production was increased up to ∼40% with intermittent energy input (on/off = 60/15sec) compared to control reactor. Cathodic hydrogen recovery was also increased from 62% for control MEC to 69–80% for intermittent voltage application. Energy efficiency was increased by 14–20% with intermittent energy input. These results show that intermittent voltage application is very effective not only for energy efficiency/recovery but also for hydrogen production as compared with continuous voltage application. Highlights: Intermittent energy supply to MECs used instead of continuous energy supply. Overall gas production was increased up to ∼41% with intermittent MECs. Shorter duty length (more frequent energy on/off) was better. Energy efficiency, recovery, and hydrogen recovery was improved 8–29%.