IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/rensus/v61y2016icp501-525.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Recent advances and emerging challenges in microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) for microbial production of hydrogen and value-added chemicals

Author

Listed:
  • Kadier, Abudukeremu
  • Kalil, Mohd Sahaid
  • Abdeshahian, Peyman
  • Chandrasekhar, K.
  • Mohamed, Azah
  • Azman, Nadia Farhana
  • Logroño, Washington
  • Simayi, Yibadatihan
  • Hamid, Aidil Abdul

Abstract

Microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) is a potentially attractive green technology to tackle the global warming and energy crisis, which employs electrochemically active bacteria to convert organic matter into hydrogen or a wide range of chemicals, such as methane, acetate, hydrogen peroxide, ethanol, and formic acid, without causing environmental pollution. Until now, probably the cleanest and the most efficient method of producing hydrogen has been MEC. However, this technology is still in its infancy period and poses various challenges towards up-scaling and widespread applications, such as such as lower hydrogen production rate (HPR), high internal resistance, complicated architecture, and expensive materials. New advances are needed in biofilm engineering, materials for electrodes and reactor configuration for successful real-world application of this technology. Thus, the present review deals with development of practical MEC technology and includes the following sections: firstly a general introduction to MECs; their operating principles, thermodynamics of MEC, and energy or voltage losses in the MEC system were provided. Followed by a section on the critical factors affecting MEC performance; microorganisms, anode, cathode, membrane or separator, fuel sources, the state-of-art MECs designs, other key operational factors, and its potential application in microbial production of value added products are discussed in detail. Afterwards, current challenges involved in developing practical MEC systems are highlighted, and outlooks for future development are also suggested. The review aims to assist researcher and engineers to gain fundamental understandings of MEC, and it also provides several future research directions and a road map on how to overcome the barriers, so the MEC technology can be further advanced and applied in larger scale.

Suggested Citation

  • Kadier, Abudukeremu & Kalil, Mohd Sahaid & Abdeshahian, Peyman & Chandrasekhar, K. & Mohamed, Azah & Azman, Nadia Farhana & Logroño, Washington & Simayi, Yibadatihan & Hamid, Aidil Abdul, 2016. "Recent advances and emerging challenges in microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) for microbial production of hydrogen and value-added chemicals," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 501-525.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:61:y:2016:i:c:p:501-525
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2016.04.017
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S136403211630034X
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.rser.2016.04.017?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Amponsah, Nana Yaw & Troldborg, Mads & Kington, Bethany & Aalders, Inge & Hough, Rupert Lloyd, 2014. "Greenhouse gas emissions from renewable energy sources: A review of lifecycle considerations," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 461-475.
    2. Chen, Yingwen & Xu, Yuan & Chen, Liuliu & Li, Peiwen & Zhu, Shemin & Shen, Shubao, 2015. "Microbial electrolysis cells with polyaniline/multi-walled carbon nanotube-modified biocathodes," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 377-384.
    3. Gemma Reguera & Kevin D. McCarthy & Teena Mehta & Julie S. Nicoll & Mark T. Tuominen & Derek R. Lovley, 2005. "Extracellular electron transfer via microbial nanowires," Nature, Nature, vol. 435(7045), pages 1098-1101, June.
    4. W. J.W. Botzen & J. M. Gowdy & J. C.J.M. Van Den Bergh, 2008. "Cumulative CO 2 emissions: shifting international responsibilities for climate debt," Climate Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 8(6), pages 569-576, November.
    5. Kadier, Abudukeremu & Simayi, Yibadatihan & Kalil, Mohd Sahaid & Abdeshahian, Peyman & Hamid, Aidil Abdul, 2014. "A review of the substrates used in microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) for producing sustainable and clean hydrogen gas," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 466-472.
    6. Kotarska, Katarzyna & Świerczyńska, Anna & Dziemianowicz, Wojciech, 2015. "Study on the decomposition of lignocellulosic biomass and subjecting it to alcoholic fermentation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 389-394.
    7. Azwar, M.Y. & Hussain, M.A. & Abdul-Wahab, A.K., 2014. "Development of biohydrogen production by photobiological, fermentation and electrochemical processes: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 158-173.
    8. Cai, Junmeng & Wu, Weixuan & Liu, Ronghou, 2014. "An overview of distributed activation energy model and its application in the pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 236-246.
    9. Kadier, Abudukeremu & Abdeshahian, Peyman & Simayi, Yibadatihan & Ismail, Manal & Hamid, Aidil Abdul & Kalil, Mohd Sahaid, 2015. "Grey relational analysis for comparative assessment of different cathode materials in microbial electrolysis cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 90(P2), pages 1556-1562.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Devi Radhika & Archana Shivakumar & Deepak R. Kasai & Ravindranadh Koutavarapu & Shaik Gouse Peera, 2022. "Microbial Electrolysis Cell as a Diverse Technology: Overview of Prospective Applications, Advancements, and Challenges," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-19, April.
    2. Park, Lydia Kyoung-Eun & Satinover, Scott J. & Yiacoumi, Sotira & Mayes, Richard T. & Borole, Abhijeet P. & Tsouris, Costas, 2018. "Electrosorption of organic acids from aqueous bio-oil and conversion into hydrogen via microbial electrolysis cells," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 21-31.
    3. Khan, Mohd Atiqueuzzaman & Ngo, Huu Hao & Guo, Wenshan & Liu, Yiwen & Zhang, Xinbo & Guo, Jianbo & Chang, Soon Woong & Nguyen, Dinh Duc & Wang, Jie, 2018. "Biohydrogen production from anaerobic digestion and its potential as renewable energy," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 129(PB), pages 754-768.
    4. Jayabalan, Tamilmani & Manickam, Matheswaran & Naina Mohamed, Samsudeen, 2020. "NiCo2O4-graphene nanocomposites in sugar industry wastewater fed microbial electrolysis cell for enhanced biohydrogen production," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 1144-1152.
    5. Yang, Wei & Bao, Jingjing & Liu, Hongtao & Zhang, Jun & Guo, Lin, 2023. "Low-grade heat to hydrogen: Current technologies, challenges and prospective," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    6. Shen, Ruixia & Jiang, Yong & Ge, Zheng & Lu, Jianwen & Zhang, Yuanhui & Liu, Zhidan & Ren, Zhiyong Jason, 2018. "Microbial electrolysis treatment of post-hydrothermal liquefaction wastewater with hydrogen generation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 509-515.
    7. Ndayisenga, Fabrice & Yu, Zhisheng & Zheng, Jianzhong & Wang, Bobo & Liang, Hongxia & Phulpoto, Irfan Ali & Habiyakare, Telesphore & Zhou, Dandan, 2021. "Microbial electrohydrogenesis cell and dark fermentation integrated system enhances biohydrogen production from lignocellulosic agricultural wastes: Substrate pretreatment towards optimization," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    8. Jiang, Yong & Yang, Xufei & Liang, Peng & Liu, Panpan & Huang, Xia, 2018. "Microbial fuel cell sensors for water quality early warning systems: Fundamentals, signal resolution, optimization and future challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P1), pages 292-305.
    9. Rousseau, Raphaël & Etcheverry, Luc & Roubaud, Emma & Basséguy, Régine & Délia, Marie-Line & Bergel, Alain, 2020. "Microbial electrolysis cell (MEC): Strengths, weaknesses and research needs from electrochemical engineering standpoint," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 257(C).
    10. Ding, Lingkan & Wang, Yuchuan & Lin, Hongjian & van Lierop, Leif & Hu, Bo, 2022. "Facilitating solid-state anaerobic digestion of food waste via bio-electrochemical treatment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).
    11. Kumar, Aman & Singh, Ekta & Mishra, Rahul & Lo, Shang Lien & Kumar, Sunil, 2023. "Global trends in municipal solid waste treatment technologies through the lens of sustainable energy development opportunity," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 275(C).
    12. Kokko, M. & Bayerköhler, F. & Erben, J. & Zengerle, R. & Kurz, Ph. & Kerzenmacher, S., 2017. "Molybdenum sulphides on carbon supports as electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution in acidic industrial wastewater," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 190(C), pages 1221-1233.
    13. Takaya Ogawa & Mizutomo Takeuchi & Yuya Kajikawa, 2018. "Analysis of Trends and Emerging Technologies in Water Electrolysis Research Based on a Computational Method: A Comparison with Fuel Cell Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-24, February.
    14. A K M Khabirul Islam & Patrick S. M. Dunlop & Neil J. Hewitt & Rose Lenihan & Caterina Brandoni, 2021. "Bio-Hydrogen Production from Wastewater: A Comparative Study of Low Energy Intensive Production Processes," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 3(1), pages 1-27, February.
    15. Parkhey, Piyush & Gupta, Pratima, 2017. "Improvisations in structural features of microbial electrolytic cell and process parameters of electrohydrogenesis for efficient biohydrogen production: a review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 1085-1099.
    16. Donato Cecere & Eugenio Giacomazzi & Antonio Di Nardo & Giorgio Calchetti, 2023. "Gas Turbine Combustion Technologies for Hydrogen Blends," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-29, September.
    17. Littfinski, Tobias & Stricker, Max & Nettmann, Edith & Gehring, Tito & Hiegemann, Heinz & Krimmler, Stefan & Lübken, Manfred & Pant, Deepak & Wichern, Marc, 2022. "A generalized whole-cell model for wastewater-fed microbial fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 321(C).
    18. Prasun Kumar & Kuppam Chandrasekhar & Archana Kumari & Ezhaveni Sathiyamoorthi & Beom Soo Kim, 2018. "Electro-Fermentation in Aid of Bioenergy and Biopolymers," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-20, February.
    19. Anusha Ganta & Yasser Bashir & Sovik Das, 2022. "Dairy Wastewater as a Potential Feedstock for Valuable Production with Concurrent Wastewater Treatment through Microbial Electrochemical Technologies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-34, November.
    20. Leicester, Daniel & Amezaga, Jaime & Heidrich, Elizabeth, 2020. "Is bioelectrochemical energy production from wastewater a reality? Identifying and standardising the progress made in scaling up microbial electrolysis cells," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ndayisenga, Fabrice & Yu, Zhisheng & Zheng, Jianzhong & Wang, Bobo & Liang, Hongxia & Phulpoto, Irfan Ali & Habiyakare, Telesphore & Zhou, Dandan, 2021. "Microbial electrohydrogenesis cell and dark fermentation integrated system enhances biohydrogen production from lignocellulosic agricultural wastes: Substrate pretreatment towards optimization," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    2. Ortiz-Martínez, V.M. & Salar-García, M.J. & Touati, K. & Hernández-Fernández, F.J. & de los Ríos, A.P. & Belhoucine, F. & Berrabbah, A. Alioua, 2016. "Assessment of spinel-type mixed valence Cu/Co and Ni/Co-based oxides for power production in single-chamber microbial fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 1241-1249.
    3. Parkhey, Piyush & Gupta, Pratima, 2017. "Improvisations in structural features of microbial electrolytic cell and process parameters of electrohydrogenesis for efficient biohydrogen production: a review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 1085-1099.
    4. Yang, Yantao & Qu, Xia & Huang, Guorun & Ren, Suxia & Dong, Lili & Sun, Tanglei & Liu, Peng & Li, Yanling & Lei, Tingzhou & Cai, Junmeng, 2023. "Insight into lignocellulosic biomass torrefaction kinetics with case study of pinewood sawdust torrefaction," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 215(C).
    5. Tian, Xueyu & You, Fengqi, 2019. "Carbon-neutral hybrid energy systems with deep water source cooling, biomass heating, and geothermal heat and power," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 250(C), pages 413-432.
    6. Emblemsvåg, Jan, 2022. "Wind energy is not sustainable when balanced by fossil energy," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 305(C).
    7. Zhang, Zumeng & Ding, Liping & Wang, Chaofan & Dai, Qiyao & Shi, Yin & Zhao, Yujia & Zhu, Yuxuan, 2022. "Do operation and maintenance contracts help photovoltaic poverty alleviation power stations perform better?," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
    8. Yuming Wang & Yi Li & Longfei Wang & Wenlong Zhang & Thomas Bürgi, 2023. "Bio-Coated Graphitic Carbon Nitrides for Enhanced Nitrobenzene Degradation: Roles of Extracellular Electron Transfer," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-16, November.
    9. Renata Toczyłowska-Mamińska & Mariusz Ł. Mamiński, 2022. "Wastewater as a Renewable Energy Source—Utilisation of Microbial Fuel Cell Technology," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-14, September.
    10. Li, Jinying & Li, Sisi & Wu, Fan, 2020. "Research on carbon emission reduction benefit of wind power project based on life cycle assessment theory," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 155(C), pages 456-468.
    11. Zhang, Yanghuan & Li, Xufeng & Cai, Ying & Qi, Yan & Guo, Shihai & Zhao, Dongliang, 2019. "Improved hydrogen storage performances of Mg-Y-Ni-Cu alloys by melt spinning," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 263-271.
    12. Rousseau, Raphaël & Etcheverry, Luc & Roubaud, Emma & Basséguy, Régine & Délia, Marie-Line & Bergel, Alain, 2020. "Microbial electrolysis cell (MEC): Strengths, weaknesses and research needs from electrochemical engineering standpoint," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 257(C).
    13. Karlsson, Rasmus, 2012. "Carbon lock-in, rebound effects and China at the limits of statism," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 939-945.
    14. Liu, Yuanzhe & Lai, Yen-Jung Sean & Rittmann, Bruce E., 2020. "Increased anode respiration enhances utilization of short-chain fatty acid and lipid wet-extraction from Scenedesmus acutus biomass in electro-selective fermentation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 374-379.
    15. Bakonyi, Péter & Buitrón, Germán & Valdez-Vazquez, Idania & Nemestóthy, Nándor & Bélafi-Bakó, Katalin, 2017. "A novel gas separation integrated membrane bioreactor to evaluate the impact of self-generated biogas recycling on continuous hydrogen fermentation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 190(C), pages 813-823.
    16. Alberto Benato & Alarico Macor, 2021. "Costs to Reduce the Human Health Toxicity of Biogas Engine Emissions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-17, October.
    17. Zhang, Xiaoyue & Huang, Guohe & Liu, Lirong & Li, Kailong, 2022. "Development of a stochastic multistage lifecycle programming model for electric power system planning – A case study for the Province of Saskatchewan, Canada," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    18. Rueda-Bayona, Juan Gabriel & Cabello Eras, Juan Jose & Chaparro, Tatiana R., 2022. "Impacts generated by the materials used in offshore wind technology on Human Health, Natural Environment and Resources," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(PA).
    19. ElMekawy, Ahmed & Hegab, Hanaa M. & Losic, Dusan & Saint, Christopher P. & Pant, Deepak, 2017. "Applications of graphene in microbial fuel cells: The gap between promise and reality," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 1389-1403.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:61:y:2016:i:c:p:501-525. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/600126/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.