International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395 -0056
Volume: 04 Issue: 03 | Mar-2017
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
www.irjet.net
Microbial Disintegration of Bio-Waste for Hydrogen Generation for Application in Fuel Cell Pallavi Jadhav, Joydeep Sarkar, Roopali Patil, Shraddha Vinchurkar Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, Sandip Institute of Engineering & Management, Nashik, Maharashtra, India ---------------------------------------------------------------------***---------------------------------------------------------------------
Abstract - With gradual decrease in our conventional
emissions caused in conventional methods. Biological methods of H2 production by the action of microbes on wastewater and biomass wastes is very important as it consumes waste helping the reduction of garbage volume, it can be applied on wastewater which results in wastewater treatment and the process is free of greenhouse gas emissions. Biological hydrogen production delivers clean hydrogen with an environmental-friendly technology and is very suitable for the conversion of wet biomass in smallscale applications, thus having a high chance of becoming an economically feasible technology.
energy resources and the grave threat of global warming, there is a need to find sources that are long lasting. Hydrogen as fuel provides a very good option. Fuel cell converts hydrogen directly into electricity, with water as the only byproduct. No greenhouse gases are produced during this process. But Hydrogen production uses Natural gas and electrolysis of water, thus directly or indirectly creating pollution. As per this, we cannot say Hydrogen as a clean energy. So, we need to categorize clean Hydrogen production techniques. In this review paper, we will look into methods of Hydrogen production by microbial action on wastewater or biomass. It provides a renewable path and reduces CO 2 emission. Also, we will look into Microbial Fuel Cells, which can be used to produce electricity from water containing glucose or lactate.
2. BIOLOGICAL HYDROGEN GENERATION Hydrogen is considered as a clean fuel because on combustion it generates water. So, basically Hydrogen is renewable, as it can be reformed from by-products. [1] It has high a very high energy content per unit mass. Presently, only 40 % of hydrogen is produced from natural gas, 30 % from heavy oils and naphtha, 18 % from coal, and 4 % from electrolysis and about 1 % is produced from biomass.[2] The methods used today uses Natural gas as input, thus producing CO2 and other waste gases. Electrolysis of water looks like a clean method but the electrical power required to drive electrolysis process comes from thermal or nuclear power plants, that is indirectly creating pollution. In coal gasification process, large amount of waste gases are produced containing sulphur compounds, thus highly polluting. [3] To meet the emission levels of CO2 as imposed by the Kyoto protocol, hydrogen should be produced from renewable energy sources. [4] Indirect hydrogen production by electrolysis using electricity from renewable resources, such as sunlight, wind and hydropower, is also possible to incorporate the tag of pollution free hydrogen generation.
Key Words: Biological H2 production, Aerobic Reaction, Anaerobic reactions, Waste Disposal, Fuel cell 1. INTRODUCTION Energy is the need for every generation. Any technological advancement is supported by continuity of power. With gradual depletion of conventional resources, the world is looking towards clean and green energy sources to satisfy the demand of the present generation. The scientific world is providing us with solutions but their use is restricted due to lack of funds or technology. In this scenario, Fuel Cells possess the potential for its use on large scale. Fuel Cells are now being introduced commercially for large scale domestic use, revolutionizing the way we produce power. Presently Fuel Cells uses Hydrogen as fuel, offering us a clean sustainable power source, with water as byproduct. Hydrogen Fuel Cell is seen as a possible replacement for conventional power production in many applications, especially on-site/off-grid power production.
Hydrogen is a natural, though transient, by-product of several microbial driven biochemical reactions, mainly in anaerobic fermentation processes. In addition, certain microorganisms can produce enzymes that can produce H2 from water if an outside energy source, like sunlight, is provided to them. Many microorganisms are able to produce hydrogen from mono-saccharides and disaccharides, starch and hemicellulose under anaerobic conditions. The anaerobic production of hydrogen is a common phenomenon, occurring during the process of anaerobic digestion.
But the problem with hydrogen is that it is an inert gas, and extracting & packing hydrogen for usage is a difficult & costly process. In majority, Hydrogen is produced from natural gas and its production is accompanied by CO2 emission, which is a greenhouse gas. Also, hydrogen production by electrolysis consumes large amount of power which indirectly comes from conventional power plants. So newer methods of H 2 production are being worked on with, which reduces the
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