Article
Energy & Fuels
Rene Alejandro Flores-Estrella, Victor Alcaraz-Gonzalez, Andreas Haarstrick
Summary: The aim of this study is to propose a methodology for obtaining an effectiveness factor for biofilm in a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) system and using it to reduce a partial differential equation (PDE) biofilm MEC model to an ordinary differential equation (ODE) MEC model. The effectiveness factors are obtained from partial differential equations describing the spatial distributions of potential and substrate in the biofilm. The reduced ODE model with uncertain but bounded effectiveness factors is evaluated numerically and shows good agreement with a validated model.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Mohamad Afiq Mohd Asrul, Mohd Farid Atan, Hafizah Abdul Halim Yun, Josephine Chang Hui Lai
Summary: This study reviewed the MEC mathematical model, focusing on the classification, assumptions, improvements, and application research of the model. The research found that modeling studies based on mathematical equations can overcome the limitations of industrial-scale biohydrogen production.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2021)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Jayachitra Murugaiyan, Anantharaman Narayanan, Samsudeen Naina Mohamed
Summary: Microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) is a clean and green energy technology that produces biohydrogen and removes pollutants from wastewater. However, MEC is still facing challenges in terms of design, electrodes, and membrane cost for large-scale applications. This review summarizes the various reactor configurations of MEC, discusses its basic principles and required components, and explores the integration of MEC with other bioelectrochemical systems.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Abhispa Bora, K. Mohanrasu, T. Angelin Swetha, V. Ananthi, Raveendran Sindhu, Nguyen Thuy Lan Chi, Arivalagan Pugazhendhi, A. Arun, Thangavel Mathimani
Summary: Hydrogen gas has great potential as an environmentally friendly and efficient vehicle fuel. The production of hydrogen from renewable energy sources, such as biohydrogen produced from biomasses and wastes, is becoming a viable option. Microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) are a promising bioelectrochemical system for hydrogen production, combining microbial and electrochemical processes.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Dongle Cheng, Huu Hao Ngo, Wenshan Guo, Soon Woong Chang, Dinh Duc Nguyen, Shicheng Zhang, Shihai Deng, Ding An, Ngoc Bich Hoang
Summary: This review discusses the importance and challenges of microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) systems in biohydrogen production. The paper explores the factors influencing biohydrogen production and proposes new strategies and directions to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhen Li, Anran Fang, Han Cui, Jie Ding, Bingfeng Liu, Guojun Xie, Nanqi Ren, Defeng Xing
Summary: The research reveals that cross-feeding interactions between Ethanoligenens harbinense and Geobacter sulfurreducens in microbial electrolysis cells can enhance hydrogen production and improve substrate conversion efficiency, offering an effective strategy to increase energy recovery from wastes.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Ke Shi, Weimin Cheng, Qing Jiang, Jianliang Xue, Yanlu Qiao, Dongle Cheng
Summary: C4-HSL signaling molecule enhances the construction of sulfate-reducing bacteria bio-cathode biofilm, improving sulfate reduction efficiency by promoting acidogenic fermentation bacteria.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Muhammad Muddasar, Rabia Liaquat, Muhammad Zia Ur Rahman, Asif Hussain Khoja, Ayesha Aslam, Abdul Basit
Summary: This study successfully produced biohydrogen from potato wastewater within 5 days of operation along with wastewater treatment. The improved performance of the system can be attributed to the unique characteristics of nickel foam, such as high porosity, large surface area, and excellent conductivity. The findings of this study have implications for the sustainable treatment of domestic and agro-industrial wastewater and the development of efficient and low-cost bioelectrochemical systems for renewable energy production.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lohit Kumar Srinivas Gujjala, Deblina Dutta, Pooja Sharma, Debajyoti Kundu, Dai-Viet N. Vo, Sunil Kumar
Summary: Microbial desalination cell (MDC) is a low-cost and sustainable option for treating wastewater, desalinating saline water, producing electrical energy and recovering nutrients. Despite its wide range of applications, MDCs face operational challenges such as membrane fouling, pH imbalance, etc.
Review
Agricultural Engineering
Euntae Yang, Hend Omar Mohamed, Sung-Gwan Park, M. Obaid, Siham Y. Al-Qaradawi, Pedro Castan, Kangmin Chon, Kyu-Jung Chae
Summary: MEC technology is a promising bioelectrochemical hydrogen production method, but sustainability is hindered by the need for external power input. Combining traditional MEC with advanced carbon-neutral technologies can lead to self-sustainable MEC systems. Overcoming thermodynamic barriers and discussing new approaches for achieving self-sustaining MECs will advance the practical application of this technology.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ruggero Rossi, Joseph Nicolas, Bruce E. Logan
Summary: In this study, a low-cost cathode catalyst based on a NiMo alloy was examined for hydrogen production in microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) as an alternative to noble metals. Two NiMo catalysts were synthesized, one through an electrochemical assisted (NiMo Elec) approach and the other through a hydrothermal (NiMo Ht) approach. The NiMo Ht method showed a higher concentration of Mo atoms in the electrocatalyst compared to the NiMo Elec approach, resulting in a similar current density and minimal overpotential compared to Pt. The high performance and low cost of the NiMo Ht catalyst make it an economically viable approach for biohydrogen generation in MECs.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Jose Antonio Magdalena, Maria Fernanda Perez-Bernal, Nicolas Bernet, Eric Trably
Summary: This study investigated the production of hydrogen from food waste using a combination of dark fermentation (DF) and microbial electrolysis cells (MEC). The metabolic patterns in DF and their impact on MEC efficiency, as well as the energy output of the coupling, were examined. Results showed that at mesophilic temperature and acidic pH 5.5, a higher hydrogen yield of 72 +/- 20 mL H2/g CODin was obtained with a butyrate-enriched profile. In contrast, at pH 7, the hydrogen yield was lower (36 +/- 10 mL H2/g CODin) with an acetate-enriched profile. Assessment of the DF effluents in MECs revealed that pH 7 effluents achieved a higher hydrogen yield (566-733 mL H2/g CODin) and VFAs removal (84-95%) compared to pH 5.5 effluents (173-186 mL H2/g CODin and 29-59%). The output energy was lower for DF at pH 7, but the effluents obtained the highest energy in the MEC, highlighting the importance of process pH and VFAs profile in achieving a balanced coupling.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Manuel Posadas-Hernandez, Juan Leodegario Garcia-Rojas, Sasirot Khamkure, Liliana Garcia-Sanchez, Tania Gutierrez-Macias, Cornelio Morales-Morales, Edson Baltazar Estrada-Arriaga
Summary: The selection of better electrode material and studies of the electrocatalytic activities of the electrodes are crucial to increasing biohydrogen production in a microbial electrolysis cells (MEC). In this study, biohydrogen production and electrocatalytic activities were investigated using a membraneless single-chamber MEC fed with high-strength wastewater, employing different electrode materials, configurations, and distances. The electro-fermentation (EF) process exhibited significantly higher biohydrogen production and COD removal compared to the conventional dark fermentation reactor (DF). The onset potential for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) was significantly lower with metal electrodes than with carbon electrodes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2023)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Devi Radhika, Archana Shivakumar, Deepak R. Kasai, Ravindranadh Koutavarapu, Shaik Gouse Peera
Summary: This review investigates the various applications of microbial electrolysis cells (MECs), including energy generation and recycling, contaminant removal, and resource recovery. The review examines new concepts, configuration optimization, electron transfer pathways, and coupling with other technologies. The goal of the review is to provide an understanding of the most recent developments in MEC technologies and applications for researchers and engineers.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Fabrice Ndayisenga, Zhisheng Yu, Bobo Wang, Dandan Zhou
Summary: The study investigated the impacts of applied voltages on the performance of microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) used for converting straw waste biomass into green hydrogen energy. The results showed that increasing the applied voltage improved COD removal efficiency and bioH2 yield up to a certain point, beyond which it decreased. Among the tested protocols, MEC0.8 displayed the best performance with the highest H2 production, COD removal, and coulombic efficiency. The viability of the anodic biofilm and bacterial cell shape were less affected at lower voltages but significantly damaged at higher voltages.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Bruna G. de Souza, Gustavo Figueira, Maria H. Carvalho, Victor Alcaraz-Gonzalez, Karla E. Saldana-Flores, Mario Godinho Jr, Adilson J. A. de Oliveira, Ruth H. G. A. Kiminami, Luis A. M. Ruotolo, Ernesto A. Urquieta-Gonzalez
Summary: A novel unconventional coprecipitation procedure combined with a simple and fast microwave-assisted hydrothermal treatment was used to synthesize a new nanocrystalline magnetic cobalt ferrite with photo-Fenton activity. The study demonstrated that microwave hydrothermal treatment is essential for obtaining magnetic and photoactive Co-ferrite, with photoactivity mainly attributed to the migration of Co2+ ions during the MAH treatment.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Victor Alcaraz-Gonzalez, Guillermo Rodriguez-Valenzuela, Juan Jose Gomez-Martinez, Guilherme Luiz Dotto, Rene Alejandro Flores-Estrella
Summary: This paper proposes two control laws for a continuous Microbial Electrochemical Cells system to improve the electrical current and bio-hydrogen gas production. Numerical simulations show that both control laws can adequately respond to disturbances and achieve the desired setpoints. The highest rate of hydrogen production can be obtained by adjusting the applied potential, but only for a short period of time.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Ixbalank Torres-Zuniga, Fernando Lopez-Caamal, Hector Hernandez-Escoto, Victor Alcaraz-Gonzalez
Summary: This article presents an optimization algorithm based on Super-Twisting for extremum seeking of a continuous-time dynamical system with a single input and a single output. The algorithm requires the input-output gradient of the system's response and is demonstrated feasible through two simulation examples.
JOURNAL OF PROCESS CONTROL
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Victor Alcaraz-Gonzalez, Fabian Azael Fregoso-Sanchez, Victor Gonzalez-Alvarez, Jean-Philippe Steyer
Summary: A multivariable adaptive feedback control method for continuous anaerobic digestion processes is proposed to regulate various parameters and has been experimentally tested and shown potential for practical application in industrial digesters.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Jose De Jesus Colin-Robles, Ixbalank Torres-Zuniga, Mario A. Ibarra-Manzano, Victor Alcaraz-Gonzalez
Summary: This work presents the design of a hardware architecture for optimizing the Hydrogen Productivity Rate (HPR) in a Microbial Electrolysis Cell (MEC), using the golden section search algorithm and super-twisting controller to maximize HPR. The optimization algorithm showed high efficiency and low power consumption when implemented in an FPGA.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Karla Estefania Saldana-Flores, Rene Alejandro Flores-Estrella, Victor Alcaraz-Gonzalez, Elvis Carissimi, Bruna Goncalves de Souza, Luis Augusto Martins Ruotolo, Ernesto Urquieta-Gonzalez
Summary: This work introduces a classical linear control approach for peroxide dosage in a photo-Fenton process to improve the treatment efficiency of recalcitrant organic compounds. Experiments were conducted to degrade specific compounds, with better results achieved using closed-loop control compared to open-loop control.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Armando Campos-Rodriguez, Marco A. Zarate-Navarro, Efren Aguilar-Garnica, Victor Alcaraz-Gonzalez, Juan Paulo Garcia-Sandoval
Summary: Anaerobic digestion is an efficient wastewater bioprocess suitable for agroindustrial residues with high organic loads, characterized by low environmental impact and energy generation. The process is sensitive to VFA and alkalinity, and the modified AM2 model includes more general pH expression and detailed interactions to improve stability. Rigorous bifurcation analysis has been conducted to explore the stability and viability of the modified model.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alex Smith, Xiaolong Shen, Uriel Garza-Rubalcava, William Gardiner, Danny Reible
Summary: This study utilized polydimethylsiloxane solid-phase microextraction passive samplers to evaluate the long-term performance of a sand/gravel cap in reducing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon transport. The results showed that the cap effectively limited the exposure of contaminants in the overlying surface water.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Rene Alejandro Flores-Estrella, Victor Alcaraz-Gonzalez, Andreas Haarstrick
Summary: The aim of this study is to propose a methodology for obtaining an effectiveness factor for biofilm in a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) system and using it to reduce a partial differential equation (PDE) biofilm MEC model to an ordinary differential equation (ODE) MEC model. The effectiveness factors are obtained from partial differential equations describing the spatial distributions of potential and substrate in the biofilm. The reduced ODE model with uncertain but bounded effectiveness factors is evaluated numerically and shows good agreement with a validated model.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Siara Silvestri, Lizet Miriam Guevara Roman, Victor Alcaraz-Gonzalez, Elvis Carissimi
Summary: Bio-H-2 was produced through dark fermentation from granulated anaerobic sludge using rice husk as substrate. The solid residue generated in this process was used to produce a hydrochar capable of degrading rhodamine B dye and dicamba herbicide.
WASTE AND BIOMASS VALORIZATION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hasti Ziaei, Balaji Rao, Tea V. Wood, Uriel Garza-Rubalcava, Ashkan Alborzi, Huayun Zhou, Paul Bireta, Nancy Grosso, Danny Reible
Summary: The South River in Waynesboro, Virginia is contaminated with mercury due to historical releases from an industrial facility. Two sampling events were conducted in 2015 to assess mercury concentrations in the bank interstitial waters during base flows and after flooding events. The results showed higher mercury concentrations during bank drainage compared to base flow conditions. Laboratory experiments using South River sediments revealed that drainage cycles can result in high mercury leachate from contaminated sediment. A remedial approach involving sediment removal and the placement of biochar and an armoring layer successfully decreased mercury concentrations.
Proceedings Paper
Automation & Control Systems
Jose de Jesus Colin Robles, Ixbalank Torres, Victor Alcaraz Gonzalez
Summary: The paper proposes an optimization strategy for maximizing acetate production rate in continuous Dark Fermentation process using the golden section search algorithm. Luenberger observer and super-twisting observer are implemented to estimate influent chemical oxygen demand. The feasibility of the proposed online optimization strategy is demonstrated through simulations.
2021 EUROPEAN CONTROL CONFERENCE (ECC)
(2021)
Proceedings Paper
Automation & Control Systems
Jose de Jesus Colin Robles, Ixbalank Torres, Victor Alcaraz Gonzalez
Summary: The production of hydrogen from organic matter using microbial electrolysis cells is a promising technology with better performance and lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to other biological processes. This paper presents an optimization method using the golden section search algorithm and a discrete-time super-twisting controller to maximize hydrogen production. Numerical simulations demonstrate the feasibility of this optimization method.
2021 EUROPEAN CONTROL CONFERENCE (ECC)
(2021)
