Abstract
Practical applications of microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) require high hydrogen production rates and a compact reactor. These goals can be achieved by reducing electrode spacing but high surface area anodes are needed. The brush anode MEC with electrode spacing of 2cm had a higher hydrogen production rate and energy efficiency than an MEC with a flat cathode and a 1-cm electrode spacing. The maximum hydrogen production rate with a 2cm electrode spacing was 17.8m3/m3d at an applied voltage of Eap=1V. Reducing electrode spacing increased hydrogen production rates at the lower applied voltages, but not at the higher (>0.6V) applied voltages. These results demonstrate that reducing electrode spacing can increase hydrogen production rate, but that the closest electrode spacing do not necessarily produce the highest possible hydrogen production rates.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 3571-3574 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Bioresource technology |
| Volume | 102 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Feb 2011 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Bioengineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
- Waste Management and Disposal