MFC-MEC Coupled System for Biohydrogen Production

Hydrogen, a source of renewable energy, unfortunately relies largely on fossil fuel technologies for its production. However, recent studies have shown that microbial technologies could be used to facilitate green hydrogen production. Based on these findings, this work primarily focused on utilizing farm soil, wastewater, anaerobic sludge and cow dung for the production of green hydrogen. A double chambered Microbial Electrolysis Cell (MEC) was coupled with a single chambered Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) for this work. In this experiment, the fuel cell produced an average potential difference of 118.9 {+/-} 0.001 mV over a period of 312 hours (13 days). The electrolysis cell also produced an average potential difference of 56.8 {+/-} 0.003 mV over the same period of time. The two chambers of the MEC which facilitated the electrolysis process were separated by a locally made Proton Exchange Membrane. Hydrogen gas was produced at an average rate of about 6.9 {+/-} 0.012 mL/day with the highest being 65.5 {+/-} 0.012 mL on day 9. Also, an average current of 0.22 {+/-} 0.006 A flowed through the entire system and the total amount of hydrogen gas produced at the end of the experiment was approximately 96.8 {+/-} 0.012 mL. Based on this work, it is evident that green hydrogen can be produced by means of coupling microbial electrolysis cells with microbial fuel cells and utilizing farm soil, wastewater, anaerobic sludge and cow dung.