Tuning membraneless microbial electrolysis cells operation alters efficiency and anodic microbiome toward scalable hydrogen production from sludge-hydrolysate
Citation Link: https://doi.org/10.15480/882.16376
Publikationstyp
Journal Article
Date Issued
2026-01-21
Sprache
English
TORE-DOI
Volume
202
Article Number
153107
Citation
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 202: 153107 (2026)
Publisher DOI
Scopus ID
Publisher
Elsevier
The practical implementation of microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) is hindered by challenges in optimizing
system performance with complex substrates. This study addresses that gap by evaluating MECs fed with hydrolysate,
an appealing substrate rich in organic-acids. Through systematic variation of substrate concentration
(20–60 %), pH (5–8), and applied anodic potential ( 0.2 to +0.4 V vs standard hydrogen electrode [SHE]), the
optimal operational conditions were defined as 40 %-hydrolysate, pH 8, and +0.4 V vs SHE, yielding a mean
current density of 3.4 A/m2 and coulombic efficiencies (CE) of 38 % and 96 % based on total organic carbon
(TOC) and total volatile fatty acids (VFAs), respectively. Scalability was demonstrated using a 10 L rotating disk
bioelectrochemical reactor (RDBER) at 0 and 0.4 V vs SHE, achieving a maximum hydrogen production rate of
30.57 L/m2/d and minimal methane formation at 0.4 V. These findings offer a framework for optimizing MECs
under real-feedstock conditions.
system performance with complex substrates. This study addresses that gap by evaluating MECs fed with hydrolysate,
an appealing substrate rich in organic-acids. Through systematic variation of substrate concentration
(20–60 %), pH (5–8), and applied anodic potential ( 0.2 to +0.4 V vs standard hydrogen electrode [SHE]), the
optimal operational conditions were defined as 40 %-hydrolysate, pH 8, and +0.4 V vs SHE, yielding a mean
current density of 3.4 A/m2 and coulombic efficiencies (CE) of 38 % and 96 % based on total organic carbon
(TOC) and total volatile fatty acids (VFAs), respectively. Scalability was demonstrated using a 10 L rotating disk
bioelectrochemical reactor (RDBER) at 0 and 0.4 V vs SHE, achieving a maximum hydrogen production rate of
30.57 L/m2/d and minimal methane formation at 0.4 V. These findings offer a framework for optimizing MECs
under real-feedstock conditions.
Subjects
Anodic biofilm
Bioelectrochemical systems
Cathodic hydrogen recovery
Coulombic efficiency
Methanogens mitigation
Upscaling
DDC Class
572: Biochemistry
Publication version
publishedVersion