Hydrogen production from microbial electrolysis cells powered with microbial fuel cells

Abstract

This work used a unified dynamic model of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) that were combined to create MFC-powered MECs. This allowed for a completely sustainable and green system of hydrogen production and wastewater treatment. The main advantage that was envisioned for this coupled system was the elimination of the need for an external power source; the only feed to the system was the wastewater itself. We present the results of parameter estimation and model validation. The results showed the importance of minimizing internal resistance to increase hydrogen production. Better powering of MECs was achieved by setting MFCs in series rather than in parallel.

Keywords

• Hydrogen production
• Modeling
• Simulation
• Microbial fuel cell
• Microbial electrolysis cell
• Sustainability