Coupling dark fermentation and microbial electrolysis cells for higher hydrogen yield: Technological competitiveness and challenges

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.04.293
• Publication Date: 2023-05-25T12:19:38Z
• Authors: Pratiksha Srivastava; Enrique García-Qu...; Jesús Palma; Cristina González...
• Keywords: Microbial electrolysis cell; Dark fermentation

Hydrogen (H2) is considered as a renewable energy source which has the potential to replace fossil fuel-based economy. When it comes achieve H2 production in sustainable manner, biological methods are preferred among all other technologies. Out of processes, microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) and dark fermentation (DF) have attracted significant attention for because requirement significantly reduced wide range organic matter can be used substrate. However, underlying biochemical reactions generated molecule(s)/products associated with DF or MEC, benefit achieving higher when coupled together. The provide better substrate high conductivity overcome charge transfer challenges thereby further help improve recovery. Thus, this review provides insights into technological, microbiological, economic competitiveness coupling DF-MEC while also identifies limitations solutions.