Wastewater treatment and energy generation for dark fermentation bioreactor: preliminary results

Abstract H 2 is known as the main energy vector in the global energy transition. However, the use of fossil fuels for its production remains the most widely used primary source. Among the new alternatives for the organic production of H 2 , the Dark Fermentation process is an attractive technique since the raw material is residual biomass. H 2 is currently used for transport and fertilizer production. Hence, this study aims to evaluate the feasibility of producing electricity from H 2 produced in a Dark Fermentation process by treating synthetic wastewater in a packed bed bioreactor coupled with a fuel cell. The results showed that the maximum H 2 production rate and H 2 yield were 108 mL H 2 /h.L and 10.57 mol H 2 / mol, respectively; the maximal current value was ca. 13.7 mA for an active electrode area of 10 cm 2 ; and the higher tension was 1.3. Moreover, the Fuel Cell generated an average current of 3.12 mA for 55 h with a voltage of 210 mV. It can be concluded that dark fermentation promotes electricity generation. However, it is still necessary to develop storage techniques for H 2 to maintain the electricity generated continuously. Graphical abstract