IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v13y2021i16p8796-d609576.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

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

Author

Listed:
  • Pooja Dange

    (Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Mumbai 4102016, India)

  • Soumya Pandit

    (Department of Life Sciences, School of Basic Sciences and Research, Sharda University, Greater Noida 201306, India)

  • Dipak Jadhav

    (Department of Agricultural Engineering, Maharashtra Institute of Technology, Aurangabad 431010, India)

  • Poojhaa Shanmugam

    (Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Mumbai 4102016, India)

  • Piyush Kumar Gupta

    (Department of Life Sciences, School of Basic Sciences and Research, Sharda University, Greater Noida 201306, India)

  • Sanjay Kumar

    (Department of Life Sciences, School of Basic Sciences and Research, Sharda University, Greater Noida 201306, India)

  • Manu Kumar

    (Department of Life Science, Dongguk University-Seoul, 32 Dongguk-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si 10326, Korea)

  • Yung-Hun Yang

    (Institute for Ubiquitous Information Technology and Application, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
    Department of Biological Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea)

  • Shashi Kant Bhatia

    (Institute for Ubiquitous Information Technology and Application, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
    Department of Biological Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea)

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Pooja Dange & Soumya Pandit & Dipak Jadhav & Poojhaa Shanmugam & Piyush Kumar Gupta & Sanjay Kumar & Manu Kumar & Yung-Hun Yang & Shashi Kant Bhatia, 2021. "Recent Developments in Microbial Electrolysis Cell-Based Biohydrogen Production Utilizing Wastewater as a Feedstock," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-37, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:16:p:8796-:d:609576
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/16/8796/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/16/8796/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ki Nam Kim & Sung Hyun Lee & Hwapyong Kim & Young Ho Park & Su-Il In, 2018. "Improved Microbial Electrolysis Cell Hydrogen Production by Hybridization with a TiO 2 Nanotube Array Photoanode," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-13, November.
    2. Parkhey, Piyush & Gupta, Pratima, 2017. "Improvisations in structural features of microbial electrolytic cell and process parameters of electrohydrogenesis for efficient biohydrogen production: a review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 1085-1099.
    3. Rousseau, Raphaël & Etcheverry, Luc & Roubaud, Emma & Basséguy, Régine & Délia, Marie-Line & Bergel, Alain, 2020. "Microbial electrolysis cell (MEC): Strengths, weaknesses and research needs from electrochemical engineering standpoint," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 257(C).
    4. Bargigli, Silvia & Raugei, Marco & Ulgiati, Sergio, 2004. "Comparison of thermodynamic and environmental indexes of natural gas, syngas and hydrogen production processes," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 29(12), pages 2145-2159.
    5. Long Chen & Xiaoli Dong & Yonggang Wang & Yongyao Xia, 2016. "Separating hydrogen and oxygen evolution in alkaline water electrolysis using nickel hydroxide," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-8, September.
    6. Amro Hassanein & Freddy Witarsa & Stephanie Lansing & Ling Qiu & Yong Liang, 2020. "Bio-Electrochemical Enhancement of Hydrogen and Methane Production in a Combined Anaerobic Digester (AD) and Microbial Electrolysis Cell (MEC) from Dairy Manure," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-12, October.
    7. Spyridon Achinas & Gerrit Jan Willem Euverink, 2019. "Effect of Combined Inoculation on Biogas Production from Hardly Degradable Material," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-13, January.
    8. Juan-Rodrigo Bastidas-Oyanedel & Jens Ejbye Schmidt, 2018. "Increasing Profits in Food Waste Biorefinery—A Techno-Economic Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-14, June.
    9. Nikolaidis, Pavlos & Poullikkas, Andreas, 2017. "A comparative overview of hydrogen production processes," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 597-611.
    10. Gude, Veera Gnaneswar, 2015. "Energy and water autarky of wastewater treatment and power generation systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 52-68.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Ramprakash, Balasubramani & Lindblad, Peter & Eaton-Rye, Julian J. & Incharoensakdi, Aran, 2022. "Current strategies and future perspectives in biological hydrogen production: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    2. Shashi Kant Bhatia, 2021. "Wastewater Based Microbial Biorefinery for Bioenergy Production," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-5, August.
    3. Merabet, Nour Hane & Kerboua, Kaouther & Hoinkis, Jan, 2024. "Hydrogen production from wastewater: A comprehensive review of conventional and solar powered technologies," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Rousseau, Raphaël & Etcheverry, Luc & Roubaud, Emma & Basséguy, Régine & Délia, Marie-Line & Bergel, Alain, 2020. "Microbial electrolysis cell (MEC): Strengths, weaknesses and research needs from electrochemical engineering standpoint," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 257(C).
    2. Hajizadeh, Abdollah & Mohamadi-Baghmolaei, Mohamad & Cata Saady, Noori M. & Zendehboudi, Sohrab, 2022. "Hydrogen production from biomass through integration of anaerobic digestion and biogas dry reforming," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 309(C).
    3. Shashi Sharma & Shivani Agarwal & Ankur Jain, 2021. "Significance of Hydrogen as Economic and Environmentally Friendly Fuel," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-28, November.
    4. Yang Mo Gu & Seon Young Park & Ji Yeon Park & Byoung-In Sang & Byoung Seong Jeon & Hyunook Kim & Jin Hyung Lee, 2021. "Impact of Attrition Ball-Mill on Characteristics and Biochemical Methane Potential of Food Waste," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-10, April.
    5. Spyridoula Gerassimidou & Olwenn V. Martin & Gilenny Yamily Feliz Diaz & Chaoying Wan & Dimitrios Komilis & Eleni Iacovidou, 2022. "Systematic Evidence Mapping to Assess the Sustainability of Bioplastics Derived from Food Waste: Do We Know Enough?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-27, December.
    6. Sadeghi, Shayan & Ghandehariun, Samane, 2022. "A standalone solar thermochemical water splitting hydrogen plant with high-temperature molten salt: Thermodynamic and economic analyses and multi-objective optimization," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C).
    7. Alves, Luís & Pereira, Vítor & Lagarteira, Tiago & Mendes, Adélio, 2021. "Catalytic methane decomposition to boost the energy transition: Scientific and technological advancements," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    8. Abadie, Luis Mª & Chamorro, José M., 2023. "Investment in wind-based hydrogen production under economic and physical uncertainties," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 337(C).
    9. Samuel Simon Araya & Fan Zhou & Simon Lennart Sahlin & Sobi Thomas & Christian Jeppesen & Søren Knudsen Kær, 2019. "Fault Characterization of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Stack," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-17, January.
    10. Yang, Wei & Bao, Jingjing & Liu, Hongtao & Zhang, Jun & Guo, Lin, 2023. "Low-grade heat to hydrogen: Current technologies, challenges and prospective," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    11. Ilias Apostolopoulos & Georgios Bampos & Amaia Soto Beobide & Stefanos Dailianis & George Voyiatzis & Symeon Bebelis & Gerasimos Lyberatos & Georgia Antonopoulou, 2021. "The Effect of Anode Material on the Performance of a Hydrogen Producing Microbial Electrolysis Cell, Operating with Synthetic and Real Wastewaters," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-20, December.
    12. Krieg, Thomas & Enzmann, Franziska & Sell, Dieter & Schrader, Jens & Holtmann, Dirk, 2017. "Simulation of the current generation of a microbial fuel cell in a laboratory wastewater treatment plant," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 942-949.
    13. Navas-Anguita, Zaira & García-Gusano, Diego & Iribarren, Diego, 2019. "A review of techno-economic data for road transportation fuels," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 11-26.
    14. Kwon, Oseok & Han, Jeehoon, 2021. "Waste-to-bioethanol supply chain network: A deterministic model," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 300(C).
    15. Kong, Fanying & Ren, Hong-Yu & Pavlostathis, Spyros G. & Nan, Jun & Ren, Nan-Qi & Wang, Aijie, 2020. "Overview of value-added products bioelectrosynthesized from waste materials in microbial electrosynthesis systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
    16. Freida Ozavize Ayodele & Siti Indati Mustapa & Bamidele Victor Ayodele & Norsyahida Mohammad, 2020. "An Overview of Economic Analysis and Environmental Impacts of Natural Gas Conversion Technologies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-18, December.
    17. Hegazy Rezk & Mokhtar Aly & Rania M. Ghoniem, 2023. "Robust Fuzzy Logic MPPT Using Gradient-Based Optimization for PEMFC Power System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-18, September.
    18. Park, Joungho & Kang, Sungho & Kim, Sunwoo & Kim, Hana & Kim, Sang-Kyung & Lee, Jay H., 2024. "Optimizing green hydrogen systems: Balancing economic viability and reliability in the face of supply-demand volatility," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 368(C).
    19. Iva Ridjan Skov & Noémi Schneider & Gerald Schweiger & Josef-Peter Schöggl & Alfred Posch, 2021. "Power-to-X in Denmark: An Analysis of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-14, February.
    20. Alami, Abdul Hai & Abdelkareem, Mohammad Ali & Faraj, Mohammed & Aokal, Kamilia & Al Safarini, Nada, 2020. "Titanium dioxide-coated nickel foam photoelectrodes for direct urea fuel cell applications," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:16:p:8796-:d:609576. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.