Microbial electrolysis cell (MEC): Strengths, weaknesses and research needs from electrochemical engineering standpoint
| Autor: | Alain Bergel, Luc Etcheverry, Emma Roubaud, Régine Basséguy, Raphaël Rousseau, Marie-Line Délia |
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| Přispěvatelé: | Laboratoire de génie chimique [ancien site de Basso-Cambo] (LGC), Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut National Polytechnique (Toulouse) (Toulouse INP), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - CNRS (FRANCE), Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse - Toulouse INP (FRANCE), Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier - UT3 (FRANCE), Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse - INPT (FRANCE) |
| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2020 |
| Předmět: |
Materials science
Microbial fuel cell 020209 energy Electrochemical engineering 02 engineering and technology Electrolyte Management Monitoring Policy and Law 7. Clean energy Microbial electrochemical technology law.invention [CHIM.GENI]Chemical Sciences/Chemical engineering 020401 chemical engineering law 0202 electrical engineering electronic engineering information engineering Microbial electrolysis cell Génie chimique [SPI.GPROC]Engineering Sciences [physics]/Chemical and Process Engineering 0204 chemical engineering Process engineering Génie des procédés Bioelectrochemical system Electrolysis Electrolysis of water business.industry Mechanical Engineering Building and Construction Cathode Anode General Energy business Methane Thermal energy Hydrogen |
| Zdroj: | Applied Energy Applied Energy, Elsevier, 2020, 257, pp.113938. ⟨10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.113938⟩ |
| ISSN: | 0306-2619 |
| Popis: | International audience; Microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) produce hydrogen at the cathode associated with the oxidation of organic matter at the anode. This technology can produce hydrogen by consuming less electrical energy than water electrolysis does. However, it has been very difficult so far to scale up efficient MECs beyond the size of small laboratory cells. This article firstly revisits the fundamentals of MECs to assert their theoretical advantages. The low formal equilibrium cell voltage of 0.123 V and electrical and thermal energy yields as high as 10 and 12, respectively,are major assets. Other theoretical strengths are discussed, including the possibility to produce methane, and some safety advantages. The experimental achievements at pilot scale (several litres volume) are analysed through the prism of electrochemical engineering. This analysis leads to recommendations to modify some research efforts, notably by giving priority to increasing current density rather than working with volumetric parameters, using Faradaic yields to detect dysfunctions, and systematizing control experiments at open circuit. The critical analysis successively addresses electrolytes, electrode kinetics, temperature, substrate concentration, reactor architecture, and control procedures. It brings to light intrinsic weaknesses of the MEC concept and identifies improvements that can be made using current technology, for instance, by the catalysis of hydrogen evolution at neutral pH. The problem of the low electrolyte conductivity is pointed out and, in return, how increasing it can be detrimental to the key issue of anode acidification. Finally, research lines are proposed with the objective of moving ahead towards MEC development. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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