High hydrogen production from glycerol or glucose by electrohydrogenesis using microbial electrolysis cells

Priscilla A. Selembo, Joe M. Perez, Wallis A. Lloyd, Bruce E. Logan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

217 Scopus citations

Abstract

The use of glycerol for hydrogen gas production was examined via electrohydrogenesis using microbial electrolysis cells (MECs). A hydrogen yield of 3.9 mol-H2/mol was obtained using glycerol, which is higher than that possible by fermentation, at relatively high rates of 2.0 ± 0.4 m3/m3 d (Eap = 0.9 V). Under the same conditions, hydrogen was produced from glucose at a yield of 7.2 mol-H2/mol and a rate of 1.9 ± 0.3 m3/m3 d. Glycerol was completely removed within 6 h, with 56% of the electrons in intermediates (primarily 1,3-propanediol), with the balance converted to current, intracellular storage products or biomass. Glucose was removed within 5 h, but intermediates (mainly propionate) accounted for only 19% of the electrons. Hydrogen was also produced using the glycerol byproduct of biodiesel fuel production at a rate of 0.41 ± 0.1 m3/m3 d. These results demonstrate that electrohydrogenesis is an effective method for producing hydrogen from either pure glycerol or glycerol byproducts of biodiesel fuel production. © 2009 International Association for Hydrogen Energy.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)5373-5381
Number of pages9
JournalInternational Journal of Hydrogen Energy
Volume34
Issue number13
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2009
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'High hydrogen production from glycerol or glucose by electrohydrogenesis using microbial electrolysis cells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this