SCI和EI收录∣中国化工学会会刊

Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering ›› 2022, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (4): 239-245.DOI: 10.1016/j.cjche.2021.05.020

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Enhanced straw fermentation process based on microbial electrolysis cell coupled anaerobic digestion

Xinyu Yan1, Bobo Wang1, Hongxia Liang1, Jie Yang1, Jie Zhao1, Fabrice Ndayisenga1, Hongxun Zhang1,2, Zhisheng Yu1,2, Zhi Qian1   

  1. 1 College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China;
    2 Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences-Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (RCEES-IMCAS-UCAS) Joint-Lab of Microbial Technology for Environmental Science, Beijing 100085, China
  • Received:2020-11-12 Revised:2021-05-08 Online:2022-06-18 Published:2022-04-28
  • Contact: Zhisheng Yu,E-mail:yuzs@ucas.ac.cn;Zhi Qian,E-mail:qianz@ucas.ac.cn
  • Supported by:
    This work was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2018YFD0800403), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 21978287) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (No. 292021000194).

Enhanced straw fermentation process based on microbial electrolysis cell coupled anaerobic digestion

Xinyu Yan1, Bobo Wang1, Hongxia Liang1, Jie Yang1, Jie Zhao1, Fabrice Ndayisenga1, Hongxun Zhang1,2, Zhisheng Yu1,2, Zhi Qian1   

  1. 1 College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China;
    2 Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences-Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (RCEES-IMCAS-UCAS) Joint-Lab of Microbial Technology for Environmental Science, Beijing 100085, China
  • 通讯作者: Zhisheng Yu,E-mail:yuzs@ucas.ac.cn;Zhi Qian,E-mail:qianz@ucas.ac.cn
  • 基金资助:
    This work was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2018YFD0800403), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 21978287) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (No. 292021000194).

Abstract: The low quality and yield of methane severely hinder the industrial application of straw biogas fermentation, and no effective solution has been found so far. In this study, a novel method was developed when a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) was coupled with normal anaerobic fermentation to enhance methane yield and purity. The fermentation process achieved a methane purity of more than 85%, which is considerably higher than that of previously published reports. With microbial stimulation and an electric current, the degradation of fibers has been greatly enhanced. The MEC system substantially improved the yield and purity of biogas, bringing a new path to the synthesis of methane by carbon dioxide and hydrogen ions in solution under electron irradiation. Electrochemical index analysis showed extra methane synthesis, due to the external circuit electron transfer. The results of the gas chromatography and solid degradation rate showed that the carbon source of extra methane was CO2 produced during normal fermentation and additional volatile solid degradation. These results show that the MEC considerably enhanced the quality and yield of methane in the straw fermentation process, providing insights into normal anaerobic fermentation.

Key words: Microbial electrolysis cell (MEC), Methane, Straw, Fermentation, Bioenergy

摘要: The low quality and yield of methane severely hinder the industrial application of straw biogas fermentation, and no effective solution has been found so far. In this study, a novel method was developed when a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) was coupled with normal anaerobic fermentation to enhance methane yield and purity. The fermentation process achieved a methane purity of more than 85%, which is considerably higher than that of previously published reports. With microbial stimulation and an electric current, the degradation of fibers has been greatly enhanced. The MEC system substantially improved the yield and purity of biogas, bringing a new path to the synthesis of methane by carbon dioxide and hydrogen ions in solution under electron irradiation. Electrochemical index analysis showed extra methane synthesis, due to the external circuit electron transfer. The results of the gas chromatography and solid degradation rate showed that the carbon source of extra methane was CO2 produced during normal fermentation and additional volatile solid degradation. These results show that the MEC considerably enhanced the quality and yield of methane in the straw fermentation process, providing insights into normal anaerobic fermentation.

关键词: Microbial electrolysis cell (MEC), Methane, Straw, Fermentation, Bioenergy