Electrohydrogenic reactor for hydrogen gas production

• US 7,922,878 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2008
• Issued: 04/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Penn State Research Foundation
• Original Assignee: Penn State Research Foundation
• Inventors: Logan, Bruce
• Primary Examiner(s): Bell; Bruce F
• Application Number:
  US12/145,722
• Publication Number:
  US 20080277273A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,021 Days
• Field of Search: 429/2, 429/401, 429/502, 429/503, 204/242, 204/252, 204/260, 204/263, 204/264, 204/266, 204/269, 204/270, 204/272, 204/275.1, 204/276, 204/278, 205/637, 205/638, 422/305, 435/297.1, 435/298.1, 435/300.1
• US Class Current: 204/270
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2001/46133 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2001/46161 Porous electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/46115 Electrolytic cell with membranes or diaphragms
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 3/005 Combined electrochemical biological processes aeration by electrolytically produced oxygen bubbles C02F3/202
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 1/02 Hydrogen or oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 9/00 Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 16/003 of fuel cells with other electrochemical devices, e.g. capacitors, electrolysers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0656 by electrochemical means H01M8/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/16 Biochemical fuel cells, i.e. cells in which microorganisms function as catalysts
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/37 using solar energy

Abstract

A system for hydrogen gas generation is provided according to the present invention which includes a hydrogen gas electrode assembly including a first anode in electrical communication with a first cathode; a microbial fuel cell electrode assembly including a second anode in electrical communication with a second cathode, the microbial fuel cell electrode assembly in electrical communication with the hydrogen gas electrode assembly for enhancing an electrical potential between the first anode and the first cathode. A single chamber housing contains the hydrogen gas electrode assembly at least partially in the interior space of the housing.

Claims

1. A system for hydrogen gas generation, comprising:

a hydrogen gas electrode assembly comprising a first anode and a first cathode;

a microbial fuel cell electrode assembly comprising a second anode and a second cathode, the microbial fuel cell electrode assembly in electrical communication with the hydrogen gas electrode assembly for enhancing an electrical potential between the first anode and the first cathode; and

a single chamber housing, the housing having a wall generally enclosing and defining an interior space adjacent an interior surface of the wall, and defining an exterior, the hydrogen gas electrode assembly disposed at least partially in the interior space, with the proviso that the system does not include an ion exchange membrane disposed between the first anode and the first cathode.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising an aqueous medium disposed in the interior space, the aqueous medium partially filling the interior space and defining a gas space between the wall and the aqueous medium, wherein substantially no O₂ is present in the interior space.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the aqueous medium comprises a chemical mediator for transfer of electrons generated by the plurality of bacteria to the anode.

4. The system of claim 2, further comprising a biodegradable organic substrate for oxidation by bacteria, the biodegradable organic substrate disposed in contact with the aqueous medium.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the biodegradable organic fuel is wastewater.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of bacteria for oxidizing a biodegradable organic fuel in the housing.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of bacteria comprises exoelectrogenic bacteria.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the anodes and/or cathodes has a high specific surface area.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the one or more of the anodes and/or cathodes having a high specific surface area has a specific surface area greater than 100 m²/m³.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the anode and/or cathode comprises one or more conductive fibers.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more conductive fibers is attached to a conductive core support.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein each individual fiber of the one or more conductive fibers is attached to the conductive core support.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the one or more fibers comprises one or more carbon fibers.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a mixing apparatus for increasing hydrogen gas transfer from the cathode to the gas space.

15. The system of claim 1, further comprising a first channel disposed in the wall for communication between the interior space and the exterior.

16. A method of generating hydrogen gas, comprising:

providing a biodegradable organic substrate to a plurality of bacteria disposed in the housing of a system for generating hydrogen gas according to claim 1; and

applying a voltage to enhance an electrical potential between the first anode and the first cathode.