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Hydrogen Production from Winery Wastewater Through a Dual-Chamber Microbial Electrolysis Cell

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  • Ana Baía

    (Fiber Materials and Environmental Technologies (FibEnTech-UBI), Universidade da Beira Interior, R. Marquês de D’Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
    Department of Chemistry, Universidade da Beira Interior, R. Marquês de D’Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal)

  • Alonso I. Arroyo-Escoto

    (Alentejo Biotechnology Center for Agriculture and Agro-Food (CEBAL), Polytechnic Institute of Beja (IPBeja), Apartado 6158, 7801-908 Beja, Portugal
    Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, CEBAL—Centro de Biotecnologia Agrícola e Agro-Alimentar do Alentejo, 7801-908 Beja, Portugal
    Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Institute for Advanced Studies and Research (IIFA), University of Évora, Polo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal)

  • Nuno Ramos

    (Fiber Materials and Environmental Technologies (FibEnTech-UBI), Universidade da Beira Interior, R. Marquês de D’Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
    Department of Chemistry, Universidade da Beira Interior, R. Marquês de D’Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal)

  • Bilel Abdelkarim

    (Fiber Materials and Environmental Technologies (FibEnTech-UBI), Universidade da Beira Interior, R. Marquês de D’Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal)

  • Marta Pereira

    (Department of Chemistry, Universidade da Beira Interior, R. Marquês de D’Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal)

  • Maria C. Fernandes

    (Alentejo Biotechnology Center for Agriculture and Agro-Food (CEBAL), Polytechnic Institute of Beja (IPBeja), Apartado 6158, 7801-908 Beja, Portugal
    Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, CEBAL—Centro de Biotecnologia Agrícola e Agro-Alimentar do Alentejo, 7801-908 Beja, Portugal)

  • Yifeng Zhang

    (Department of Environmental and Resources Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Bygningstorvet, Building 115, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark)

  • Annabel Fernandes

    (Fiber Materials and Environmental Technologies (FibEnTech-UBI), Universidade da Beira Interior, R. Marquês de D’Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
    Department of Chemistry, Universidade da Beira Interior, R. Marquês de D’Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal)

Abstract

This study explores the feasibility of producing biohydrogen from winery wastewater using a dual-chamber microbial electrolysis cell (MEC). A mixed microbial consortium pre-adapted to heavy-metal environments and enriched with Geobacter sulfurreducens was anaerobically cultivated from diverse waste streams. Over 5000 h of development, the MEC system was progressively adapted to winery wastewater, enabling long-term electrochemical stability and high organic matter degradation. Upon winery wastewater addition (5% v / v ), the system achieved a sustained hydrogen production rate of (0.7 ± 0.3) L H 2 L −1 d −1 , with an average current density of (60 ± 4) A m −3 , and COD removal efficiency exceeding 55%, highlighting the system’s resilience despite the presence of inhibitory compounds. Coulombic efficiency and cathodic hydrogen recovery reached (75 ± 4)% and (87 ± 5)%, respectively. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy provided mechanistic insight into charge transfer and biofilm development, correlating resistive parameters with biological adaptation. These findings demonstrate the potential of MECs to simultaneously treat agro-industrial wastewaters and recover energy in the form of hydrogen, supporting circular resource management strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Ana Baía & Alonso I. Arroyo-Escoto & Nuno Ramos & Bilel Abdelkarim & Marta Pereira & Maria C. Fernandes & Yifeng Zhang & Annabel Fernandes, 2025. "Hydrogen Production from Winery Wastewater Through a Dual-Chamber Microbial Electrolysis Cell," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-20, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:12:p:3043-:d:1674883
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Line Schultz Jensen & Christian Kaul & Nilas Brinck Juncker & Mette Hedegaard Thomsen & Tanmay Chaturvedi, 2022. "Biohydrogen Production in Microbial Electrolysis Cells Utilizing Organic Residue Feedstock: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-35, November.
    2. Dulatbay Yerassyl & Yu Jin & Sugirbaeva Zhanar & Kazambayeva Aigul & Yessengaliyeva Saltanat, 2022. "The Current Status and Lost Biogas Production Potential of Kazakhstan from Anaerobic Digestion of Livestock and Poultry Manure," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-11, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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