Microbial bioelectrosynthesis of hydrogen: Current challenges and scale-up

Michael Kitching; Robin Butler; Enrico Marsili

doi:10.1016/j.enzmictec.2016.09.002

Microbial bioelectrosynthesis of hydrogen: Current challenges and scale-up

Michael Kitching, Robin Butler, Enrico Marsili

Research output: Journal Publication › Review article › peer-review

51 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Sustainable energy supplies are needed to supplement and eventually replace fossil fuels. Molecular hydrogen H₂ is a clean burning, high-energy fuel that is also used as reducing gas in industrial processes. H₂ is mainly synthesized by steam reforming of natural gas, a non-renewable fuel. There are biosynthetic strategies for H₂ production; however, they are associated with poor yield and have high cost. The application of an electrochemical driving force in a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) improves the yield of biological reactions. The performance of the MEC is influenced by experimental parameters such as the electrode material, reactor design, microbial consortia and the substrate. In this review, factors that affect the performance of MECs are discussed and critically analysed. The potential for scale-up of H₂ bioelectrosynthesis is also discussed.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1-13
Number of pages	13
Journal	Enzyme and Microbial Technology
Volume	96
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enzmictec.2016.09.002
Publication status	Published - 1 Jan 2017
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Bioelectroreactors
Bioelectrosynthesis
Biofilms
Hydrogen
Microbial electrolysis cells

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Biotechnology
Bioengineering
Biochemistry
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.enzmictec.2016.09.002

Cite this

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title = "Microbial bioelectrosynthesis of hydrogen: Current challenges and scale-up",

abstract = "Sustainable energy supplies are needed to supplement and eventually replace fossil fuels. Molecular hydrogen H2 is a clean burning, high-energy fuel that is also used as reducing gas in industrial processes. H2 is mainly synthesized by steam reforming of natural gas, a non-renewable fuel. There are biosynthetic strategies for H2 production; however, they are associated with poor yield and have high cost. The application of an electrochemical driving force in a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) improves the yield of biological reactions. The performance of the MEC is influenced by experimental parameters such as the electrode material, reactor design, microbial consortia and the substrate. In this review, factors that affect the performance of MECs are discussed and critically analysed. The potential for scale-up of H2 bioelectrosynthesis is also discussed.",

keywords = "Bioelectroreactors, Bioelectrosynthesis, Biofilms, Hydrogen, Microbial electrolysis cells",

author = "Michael Kitching and Robin Butler and Enrico Marsili",

note = "Funding Information: Michael Kitching was funded by Irish Research Council (Ireland) , Project ID RS/2012/276 . Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2016 Elsevier Inc.",

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doi = "10.1016/j.enzmictec.2016.09.002",

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T2 - Current challenges and scale-up

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AU - Butler, Robin

AU - Marsili, Enrico

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N2 - Sustainable energy supplies are needed to supplement and eventually replace fossil fuels. Molecular hydrogen H2 is a clean burning, high-energy fuel that is also used as reducing gas in industrial processes. H2 is mainly synthesized by steam reforming of natural gas, a non-renewable fuel. There are biosynthetic strategies for H2 production; however, they are associated with poor yield and have high cost. The application of an electrochemical driving force in a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) improves the yield of biological reactions. The performance of the MEC is influenced by experimental parameters such as the electrode material, reactor design, microbial consortia and the substrate. In this review, factors that affect the performance of MECs are discussed and critically analysed. The potential for scale-up of H2 bioelectrosynthesis is also discussed.

AB - Sustainable energy supplies are needed to supplement and eventually replace fossil fuels. Molecular hydrogen H2 is a clean burning, high-energy fuel that is also used as reducing gas in industrial processes. H2 is mainly synthesized by steam reforming of natural gas, a non-renewable fuel. There are biosynthetic strategies for H2 production; however, they are associated with poor yield and have high cost. The application of an electrochemical driving force in a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) improves the yield of biological reactions. The performance of the MEC is influenced by experimental parameters such as the electrode material, reactor design, microbial consortia and the substrate. In this review, factors that affect the performance of MECs are discussed and critically analysed. The potential for scale-up of H2 bioelectrosynthesis is also discussed.

KW - Bioelectroreactors

KW - Bioelectrosynthesis

KW - Biofilms

KW - Hydrogen

KW - Microbial electrolysis cells

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Microbial bioelectrosynthesis of hydrogen: Current challenges and scale-up

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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