Article
Environmental Sciences
Wanjun Cui, Yaobin Lu, Cuiping Zeng, Jialiang Yao, Guangli Liu, Haiping Luo, Renduo Zhang
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the performance of single-chamber MEC under applied voltages higher than that for water electrolysis. Results showed that the MEC operated stably with higher current density and hydrogen production under high applied voltages, particularly with the use of alkaline solution to inhibit methane production.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Na Zhao, Dawei Liang, Hong Liu, Shujuan Meng, Xiaohu Li
Summary: MEC converts organics from wastewater to fuel-grade hydrogen, but long-term operation is hindered by deteriorating hydrogen recovery. This study presents a novel separator-electrode assembly design to effectively block hydrogen crossover and increase hydrogen recovery, achieving high current density and hydrogen production.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
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.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Rahul Gautam, Jagdeep K. Nayak, Neil V. Ress, Robert Steinberger-Wilckens, Uttam Kumar Ghosh
Summary: Microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) is a sustainable bio-electrochemical system for producing clean biohydrogen. This review discusses the principle, components, and operational parameters of MEC, as well as the types and advantages of MECs. It also covers important aspects and factors influencing MEC performance, and highlights the need and challenges for future development. The review aims to provide a fundamental understanding of MEC technology for further large-scale applications.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(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)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Luguang Wang, Kevin Linowski, Hong Liu
Summary: In this study, a scalable microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) with compact electrode assemblies and high electrode surface area to volume ratio was designed and constructed. The results demonstrated successful scaling up of high performance small MECs and offered a new possible approach of scaling up MECs by stacking high-performance subunits.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Sung-Gwan Park, P. P. Rajesh, Young-Uk Sim, Dipak A. Jadhav, Tabish Noori, Dong-Ho Y. Kim, Siham Y. Al-Qaradawi, Euntae Yang, Jae-Kyung Jang, Kyu-Jung Chae
Summary: This review mainly focuses on the improvements and cheaper novel alternatives of electrode materials for bioelectrohydrogenesis using a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) to enhance its performance and overcome scale-up challenges.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Lakhveer Singh, Andrew G. Miller, Luguang Wang, Hong Liu
Summary: Maintaining high current densities in microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) reactors is crucial for scaling-up. A novel 10 L MEC reactor with improved design and materials was developed to enhance current density and H2 recovery. The results showed that vertical electrode orientation promoted efficient fluid mixing, while separators and electrodes near reactor walls decreased current density.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Tunc Catal, Eke Pasaoglu, Dilan Akagunduz, Rumeysa Cebecioglu, Naki Burak Akul, Murat Ozdemir
Summary: This study investigated the use of microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) for removing Mevastatin from wastewater for the first time. The results showed that MECs can effectively remove Mevastatin and promote hydrogen production.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Paul C. Okonkwo, Himangshu Bhowmik, Ibrahim B. Mansir, Mohammed Ahmed Awadh Al Sarj Al Marhoon, Naif Fawaz Ahmed Al Sfarini
Summary: The size of electrode spacing significantly affects hydrogen production, with smaller electrode spacing increasing the interaction between the ionic electrolyte and the electrode, leading to higher efficiency in hydrogen generation. This experimental study provides important insights for alkaline water electrolysis for hydrogen production.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Kuanchang He, Wei Li, Longxiang Tang, Sihao Lv, Defeng Xing
Summary: This article reviews the principles, technologies, and challenges for suppressing methane production in microbial electrolysis cells (MECs), and highlights key concepts and directions for enhancing hydrogen generation. Inhibition of methanogenic enzymes and nitrogenase can be effective strategies to increase hydrogen production.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Tamilmani Jayabalan, Manickam Matheswaran, T. K. Radhakrishnan, Samsudeen Naina Mohamed
Summary: This study investigated the performance of a Microbial Electrolysis Cell (MEC) using a sugar industry effluent with an enhanced Nickel foam cathode, achieving higher hydrogen production rate and satisfactory COD removal efficiency. The research demonstrated the potential of the modified cathode for improved bio-electrochemical technology in converting waste to wealth.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Luguang Wang, Fei Long, Dawei Liang, Xiang Xiao, Hong Liu
Summary: The study constructed a 10-L single chamber MEC with a high electrode surface area to volume ratio and enriched electroactive cathodic biofilms for high hydrogen yield. A high hydrogen yield of 91% was achieved using lignocellulosic hydrolysate with a hydrogen production rate of 0.71 L/L/D.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ahmed Fathy, Hegazy Rezk, Dalia Yousri, Abdullah G. G. Alharbi, Sulaiman Alshammari, Yahia B. B. Hassan
Summary: The best operating conditions for microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) were determined using artificial intelligence and modern optimization. MECs are innovative materials that can simultaneously treat wastewater and produce bio-hydrogen. The strategy involved two main stages: modeling with adaptive neuro-Fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and optimal parameter identification with jellyfish optimizer (JO). By comparing with previous approaches, the proposed strategy increased hydrogen production by 6.7% and improved model accuracy by around 7.56%.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Shiping Song, Liping Huang, Peng Zhou
Summary: This study demonstrates the efficient production of exclusive hydrogen using photo-assisted single-chamber microbial electrolysis cells with ZnFe2O4/g-C3N4 cathodes. The method is sustainable, cost-effective, and offers new insights into the interplay of circuital current, light illumination, and bacterial communities for efficient hydrogen production.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Gahyun Baek, Pascal E. Saikaly, Bruce E. Logan
Summary: Adding a high surface area carbon fiber brush to AD reactors can effectively improve methane production efficiency, leading to increased methane generation rate and rapid consumption of volatile fatty acids, thus enhancing AD performance. The microbial community structure formed in biofilms of large-size brushes differs significantly from that in electrodes.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Kyoung-Yeol Kim, Ruggero Rossi, John M. Regan, Bruce E. Logan
Summary: Effluents from acetate- and wastewater-fed MFCs contain high numbers of Geobacter spp., but a high percentage of cells are inactive or dead, leading to lower counts of exoelectrogens using enumeration methods.
BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Electrochemistry
Gahyun Baek, Ruggero Rossi, Bruce E. Logan
Summary: Quantifying the resistances that different components of MECs contribute is important for understanding reactor performance. The impact of reactor architecture on internal resistance and limiting current was studied by varying electrode sizes, showing how differences in configurations affect individual electrode resistances and limiting currents.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Le Shi, Evan Newcomer, Moon Son, Vineeth Pothanamkandathil, Christopher A. Gorski, Ahmed Galal, Bruce E. Logan
Summary: Prussian blue hexacyanoferrate materials like CuHCF and NiHCF show higher salt removal capacities in electrochemical water deionization due to cation intercalation. Decay in deionization performance is linked to redoxactive centers. Adding metal salts can improve stability.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ruggero Rossi, Bruce E. Logan
Summary: High current densities achieved by bioanodes in electrochemical cells have not translated into higher power densities in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) until now. This study demonstrates that the critical factor for boosting power generation in MFCs is the transfer of OH- ions from the cathode to the bioanode. The results show that using an anion exchange membrane (AEM) in MFCs significantly increases power density compared to using a cation exchange membrane (CEM) or non-ion selective ultrafiltration membrane (UFM).
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xuejun Yan, Qing Du, Quanhua Mu, Lili Tian, Yuxuan Wan, Chengmei Liao, Lean Zhou, Yuqing Yan, Nan Li, Bruce E. Logan, Xin Wang
Summary: The study observed a succession between two closely related Geobacter species in MFC biofilms, with G. spp. predominant near the electrode and aerobes abundant in the outer layer. Removing the outer aerobes led to a transition from G. sulfurreducens to G. anodireducens. The competition between the two species was influenced by cell size, extracellular polymeric substances, and cell numbers.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ruggero Rossi, Gahyun Baek, Bruce E. Logan
Summary: The study developed a vapor-fed MEC design to enhance hydroxide ion transport to the anode without using a liquid catholyte, achieving record-high current density and H2 production rate. This innovative approach demonstrated higher and more stable performance compared to liquid-fed cathodes.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ruggero Rossi, Andy Y. Hur, Martin A. Page, Amalia O'Brien Thomas, Joseph J. Butkiewicz, David W. Jones, Gahyun Baek, Pascal E. Saikaly, Donald M. Cropek, Bruce E. Logan
Summary: A 850 L air-cathode MFC was developed and deployed in a centralized wastewater treatment facility to treat domestic-type wastewater, successfully removing a large amount of organic waste and bacteria, as well as reducing the levels of COD, BOD5, and TSS in the wastewater.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Le Shi, Xiangyu Bi, Evan Newcomer, Derek M. M. Hall, Christopher A. A. Gorski, Ahmed Galal, Bruce E. E. Logan
Summary: Prussian blue analogues are promising electrode materials for desalination systems due to their selective adsorption capacity and low costs. However, their poor conductivity and instability limit their long-term application. This study investigates the co-precipitation process and synthesis strategies to improve the properties of copper hexacyanoferrate powders. Smaller crystallite sizes and lower structural water contents increase the sodium removal capacity but decrease cycling stability. Adding chelators as precursors enhances the material stability.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Nicholas R. Cross, Matthew J. Rau, Serguei N. Lvov, Christopher A. Gorski, Bruce E. Logan, Derek M. Hall
Summary: Thermally regenerative ammonia batteries (TRABs) can generate electrical power from low-grade waste heat. Recent advancements using copper-based electrolytes have led to higher power densities. The study demonstrates that adjusting the electrolyte composition and discharge currents can further enhance power and energy density.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Le Shi, Xiangyu Bi, Evan Newcomer, Derek M. Hall, Christopher A. Gorski, Bruce E. Logan
Summary: Higher temperatures can improve the ion adsorption capacity by reducing the interfacial charge transfer resistance and increasing the diffusion coefficient of cations in the solid material. Ion hydration energy determines the intercalation potential and activation energies of ion transport in solid material.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Gahyun Baek, Ruggero Rossi, Pascal E. Saikaly, Bruce E. Logan
Summary: This study designed a microbial electrosynthesis (MES) reactor with a zero-gap electrode configuration to convert carbon dioxide into valuable chemical products using renewable energy. The results showed that the reactor had high chemical production rates and minimal pH changes. Furthermore, the microbial community on the biocathode was dominated by methanogens and acetogens.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Ruggero Rossi, Bruce E. Logan
Summary: Different microbial fuel cell configurations have been tested at pilot-scale levels to generate electricity while treating domestic or industrial wastewater. Air-cathode MFCs outperform liquid catholyte reactors, but additional treatment is needed to reduce the organic matter in the effluent.
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
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ruggero Rossi, Derek M. Hall, Le Shi, Nicholas R. Cross, Christopher A. Gorski, Michael A. Hickner, Bruce E. Logan
Summary: A new method using humidified gas stream for the anode and liquid saltwater catholyte is proposed to reduce chlorine generation and improve performance in hydrogen production. The charge repulsion of chloride ions by the proton exchange membrane results in lower chlorine generation and high faradaic efficiencies for oxygen evolution. This vapor-fed anode configuration allows for direct use of saltwater in conventional electrolyzers without additional water purification.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Yinping Xiang, Meiying Jia, Rui Xu, Jialu Xu, Lele He, Haihao Peng, Weimin Sun, Dongbo Wang, Weiping Xiong, Zhaohui Yang
Summary: This study investigated the impact of the non-antibiotic pharmaceutical carbamazepine on antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) during anaerobic digestion. The results showed that carbamazepine induced the enrichment of ARGs and increased the abundance of bacteria carrying these genes. It also facilitated microbial aggregation and intercellular communication, leading to an increased frequency of ARGs transmission. Moreover, carbamazepine promoted the acquisition of ARGs by pathogens and elevated their overall abundance.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Review
Agricultural Engineering
Weixin Zhao, Tianyi Hu, Hao Ma, Dan Li, Qingliang Zhao, Junqiu Jiang, Liangliang Wei
Summary: This review summarizes the effects and potential mechanisms of biochar on microbial behavior in AD systems. The addition of biochar has been found to promote microbial colonization, alleviate stress, provide nutrients, and enhance enzyme activity. Future research directions include targeted design of biochar, in-depth study of microbial mechanisms, and improved models.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Review
Agricultural Engineering
Christina Karmann, Anna Magrova, Pavel Jenicek, Jan Bartacek, Vojtech Kouba
Summary: This review assesses nitrogen removal technologies in reject water treatment, highlighting the differences in environmental impacts and economic benefits. Partial nitritation-anammox shows potential for economic benefits and positive environmental outcomes when operated and controlled properly.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Wei-Hao Huang, Ying-Ju Chang, Duu-Jong Lee
Summary: This study modified pinecone biochar with layered double hydroxide (LDH) to enhance its adsorption capacity for heavy metal and phosphate ions. The LDH-biochar showed significantly improved adsorption capacities for Pb2+ and phosphate, and a slight increase for Cu2+ and Co2+. The LDH layer enhanced the adsorption through various mechanisms.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Chao Song, Fanfan Cai, Shuang Yang, Ligong Wang, Guangqing Liu, Chang Chen
Summary: This paper developed a machine learning model to predict the biochemical methane potential during anaerobic digestion. Model analysis identified lignin content, organic loading, and nitrogen content as key attributes for methane production prediction. For feedstocks with high cellulose content, early methane production is lower but can be improved by prolonging digestion time. Moreover, lignin content exceeding a certain value significantly inhibits methane production.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Sang Min Lee, Ju Young Lee, Ji-Sook Hahn, Seung-Ho Baek
Summary: This study successfully developed an efficient platform strain using Yarrowia lipolytica for the bioconversion of renewable resources into adipic acid, achieving a remarkable increase in production level.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Sefkan Kendir, Matthias Franzreb
Summary: This study presents a novel approach using magnetic separation to efficiently harvest freshwater microalgae, Chlorella vulgaris. By combining pH-induced calcium phosphate precipitation with cheap natural magnetite microparticles, harvesting efficiencies up to 98% were achieved in the model medium.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Ishaq Kariim, Ji-Yeon Park, Wajahat Waheed Kazmi, Hulda Swai, In-Gu Lee, Thomas Kivevele
Summary: The impact of reaction temperature, residence time, and ethanol: acetone on the energy compositions and yield enhancement of biocrudes was investigated. The results showed that under appropriate conditions, biocrudes with high energy and low oxygen content can be obtained, indicating a high potential for utilization.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Xiyue Zhang, Xiyao Li, Liang Zhang, Yongzhen Peng
Summary: Intermittent aeration is an innovative approach to enhance nitrogen removal in low carbon-to-nitrogen ratio municipal sewage, providing an efficient strategy for the continuous plug-flow AOA process.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Xu Yang, Mahmoud Mazarji, Mengtong Li, Aohua Li, Ronghua Li, Zengqiang Zhang, Junting Pan
Summary: This study investigated the impact of magnetite on the nitrogen cycle of pig manure biostabilisation. The addition of magnetite increased N2O emissions and decreased NH3 emissions during composting. It also increased the total nitrogen content but should be considered for its significant increase in N2O emissions in engineering practice.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Review
Agricultural Engineering
Ty Shitanaka, Haylee Fujioka, Muzammil Khan, Manpreet Kaur, Zhi-Yan Du, Samir Kumar Khanal
Summary: The market value of microalgae has exponentially increased in the past two decades, thanks to their applications in various industries. However, the supply of high-value microalgal bioproducts is limited due to several factors, and strategies are being explored to overcome these limitations and improve microalgae production, thus increasing the availability of algal-derived bioproducts in the market.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Martin Kerner, Thorsten Wolff, Torsten Brinkmann
Summary: The efficiency of using enriched CO2 from flue gas for large-scale production of green microalgae has been studied. The results show that the use of membrane devices and static mixers can effectively improve the CO2 recovery rate and maintain the suitable pH and temperature during cultivation, achieving a more economical and sustainable microalgae production.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Rui Ma, Ji Li, Rd Tyagi, Xiaolei Zhang
Summary: This review summarizes the microorganisms capable of using CO2 and CH4 to produce PHAs, illustrating the production process, factors influencing it, and discussing optimization techniques. It identifies the challenges and future prospects for developing economically viable PHAs production using GHGs as a carbon source.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Bing Wang, Peng Zhang, Xu Guo, Xu Bao, Junjie Tian, Guomin Li, Jian Zhang
Summary: The addition of zeolite in the co-composting of chicken manure and straw significantly reduced the emissions of ammonia and N2O, and increased the nitrate content. Zeolite also promoted the abundance of nitrification genes and inhibited the expression of denitrification genes.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Rohit Dey, Franziska Ortiz Tena, Song Wang, Josef Martin Messmann, Christian Steinweg, Claudia Thomsen, Clemens Posten, Stefan Leu, Matthias S. Ullrich, Laurenz Thomsen
Summary: This study investigated the operation of a 1000L microalgae-based membrane photobioreactor system for continuous secondary wastewater treatment. The research focused on a green microalgae strain called Desmodesmus sp. The study aimed to understand key trends and optimization strategies by conducting experiments in both summer and winter seasons. The findings showed that maintaining low cell concentrations during periods of light inhibition was beneficial for nutrient uptake rates. Effective strategies for enhancing algae-based wastewater treatment included cell mass recycling and adjusting dilution rates based on light availability.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
