title: Hydrogen production from switchgrass via an integrated pyrolysis-microbial electrolysis process.
abstract: A new approach to hydrogen production using an integrated pyrolysis-microbial electrolysis process is described. The aqueous stream generated during pyrolysis of switchgrass was used as a substrate for hydrogen production in a microbial electrolysis cell, achieving a maximum hydrogen production rate of 4.3 L H2/L anode-day at a loading of 10 g COD/L-anode-day. Hydrogen yields ranged from 50±3.2% to 76±0.5% while anode Coulombic efficiency ranged from 54±6.5% to 96±0.21%, respectively. Significant conversion of furfural, organic acids and phenolic molecules was observed under both batch and continuous conditions. The electrical and overall energy efficiency ranged from 149-175% and 48-63%, respectively. The results demonstrate the potential of the pyrolysis-microbial electrolysis process as a sustainable and efficient route for production of renewable hydrogen with significant implications for hydrocarbon production from biomass.
authors.affiliation: The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, United States; Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Education, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville 37996, United States.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.affiliation: The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, United States.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.affiliation: The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, United States.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.affiliation: The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, United States; Center for Renewable Carbon, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville 37996, United States.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, United States; Center for Renewable Carbon, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville 37996, United States.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Labbe
authors.affiliation: The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, United States; Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6226, United States; Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Education, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville 37996, United States. Electronic address: borolea@ornl.gov.
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Borole
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism; D061249:Batch Cell Culture Techniques; D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources; D056804:Biofuels; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004560:Electricity; D004566:Electrodes; D004572:Electrolysis / Q000379:methods*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D008897:Panicum / Q000378:metabolism*; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D006859:Hydrogen
keywords: Bio-oil aqueous phase; Integrated hydrogen production; Integrated pyrolysis-MEC; Microbial electrolysis cell (MEC)