Ricerc@Sapienza

The experimental study reports the performance of a three-chamber Microbial Electrolysis Cell equipped with a two-side cathode, which combines the COD removal in the intermediate anodic chamber, the CO2 removal from a gas mixture in the two-side cathode and the recovery of ammonium as a concentrate solution. The MEC anode was fed by a synthetic dark fermentation effluent with a nitrogen load rate of 1.7 g N/Ld while the two-side cathode was operated with a gas mixture containing CO2.

A fully biological Microbial Electrolysis Cell (MEC) aimed at biogas upgrading has been operated under different operating conditions in order to enhance CO2 removal from a synthetic biogas. Specifically, CO2 reduction into CH4 occurred at the MEC biocathode with the oxidation of organic substrates in the anodic chamber partially sustaining the energy demand of the process. In the cathode chamber, methane formation was the main driver of current generation which, in turn, sustained alkalinity generation and related CO2 sorption.

Here, a 12-liter tubular microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) was developed as a post treatment unit for simultaneous biogas upgrading and ammonium recovery from the liquid effluent of an anaerobic digestion process. The MEC configuration adopted a cation exchange membrane to separate the inner anodic chamber and the external cathodic chamber, which were filled with graphite granules.

The utilization of a pilot scale tubular Microbial Electrolysis Cell (MEC), has been tested as an innovative biogas upgrading technology. The bioelectromethanogenesis reaction permits the reduction of the CO2 into CH4 by using a biocathode as electrons donor, while the electroactive oxidation of organic matter in the bioanode partially sustains the energy demand of the process. The MEC has been tested with a synthetic wastewater and biogas by using two different polarization strategies, i.e.

An experimental and modelling study of CO2 removal from a simulated biogas feed by chemical absorption in an organic solution of 2-amine-2-methyl-1-propanol in an ethylene glycol and n-propanol solvent is presented. Absorption was carried out under different temperature, feed flow rate, and feed recirculation conditions. Regeneration was carried at different temperatures. Cyclability tests showed that the absorption capacity remained stable starting from the fourth cycle. In the conditions analyzed, higher temperatures and liquid recirculation favor absorption.