Biohydrogen Production from Agricultural Wastes Using a 2-Stage Process of Dark Fermentation with Microbial Electrolysis Cells (MECs)

The fast depletion of fossil fuels and the increase in environmental problems associated with pollution loads caused by waste materials is promoting the search for waste to energy processes. As agricultural activities generate great quantities of products that have the potential to be used for bioenergy generation, conversion of agricultural wastes such as animal manure is the focus of this study. A two-stage process that incorporates dark fermentation and microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) will be developed and used for biohydrogen generation. The proposed two-stage integrated process aims to achieve maximum possible hydrogen gas from agricultural wastes would provide a useful alternative to other hydrogen production processes such as photofermentation and biophotolysis. In the dark fermentation system, cellulolytic bacteria of Caldicellulosiruptor bescii will be used. Because acetate and lactate are among the end products of this first stage process, a following step of MEC will be used for further conversion of acetate and lactate to hydrogen. MECs are devices that harness the energy and protons produced by microorganisms breaking down organic matter, to produce hydrogen abiotically from the cathode when it is combined with an additional small external voltage. Electro-active hyperthermophilic anaerobic archaea such as Ferroglobus placidus and Geoglobus ahangari are chosen to be grown on MEC anodes. The performance of reactors will be determined by measuring the chemical oxygen demand removal and hydrogen gas measurement in the headspace. The current produced will be monitored continuously during the study via a data acquisition unit.  

By: Aykut KAŞ

Date & Time: November 13th, 2019 at 15:40 in CZ-14