Hydrogen production from switchgrass via an integrated pyrolysis-microbial electrolysis process

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 H-2/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. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.