Suppressing Methane Production to Boost High-Purity Hydrogen Production in Microbial Electrolysis Cells

Hydrogen gas (H-2) is an attractive fuel carrier due to its high specific enthalpy; moreover, it is a clean source of energy because in the combustion reaction with oxygen (O-2) it produces water as the only byproduct. The microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) is a promising technology for producing H-2 from simple or complex organics present in wastewater and solid wastes. Methanogens and non-archaeal methane (CH4)-producing micro-organisms (NAMPMs) often grow in the MECs and lead to rapid conversion of produced H-2 to CH4. Moreover, non-archaeal methane production (NAMP) catalyzed by nitrogenase of photosynthetic bacteria was always overlooked. Thus, suppression of CH4 production is required to enhance H-2 yield and production rate. This review comprehensively addresses the principles and current state-of-the-art technologies for suppressing methanogenesis and NAMP in MECs. Noteworthy, specific strategies aimed at the inhibition of methanogenic enzymes and nitrogenase could be a more direct approach than physical and chemical strategies for repressing the growth of methanogenic archaea. In-depth studies on the multiomics of CH4 metabolism can possibly provide insights into sustainable and efficient approaches for suppressing metabolic pathways of methanogenesis and NAMP. The main objective of this review is to highlight key concepts, directions, and challenges related to boosting H-2 generation by suppressing CH4 production in MECs. Finally, perspectives are briefly outlined to guide and advance the future direction of MECs for production of high-purity H-2 based on genetic and metabolic engineering and on the interspecific interactions.

Automated summary

This article reviews the principles, technologies, and challenges for suppressing methane production in microbial electrolysis cells (MECs), and highlights key concepts and directions for enhancing hydrogen generation. Inhibition of methanogenic enzymes and nitrogenase can be effective strategies to increase hydrogen production.