Microbial Electrolysis Facilitates Efficient Coal Bioconversion and CO2-to-Methane Production

Junyu Wang; Bingjun Liu

doi:10.54097/2matv761

Authors

Junyu Wang
Bingjun Liu

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54097/2matv761

Keywords:

Biomethanation, Microbial Electrolysis Cell, Carbon Dioxide Reduction

Abstract

Methanogenic bacteria can convert exogenous CO₂ into biomethane, aiding carbon sequestration. Biological methods enhancing coal and CO₂ co-transformation during coalbed methane production are gaining attention, with microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) technology showing promise in improving anaerobic digestion (AD). This study compared AD and MEC-AD systems for biomethane co-production from coal and CO₂. The MEC-AD system produced 50.96 ml of methane, a 135.49% increase over AD alone (21.64 ml), and reduced CO₂ levels by 51.51% more than AD. 16S rRNA analysis showed MEC technology improved hydrolysis and interspecies electron transfer during coal digestion, boosting biomethane production. These findings highlight MEC's potential to enhance anaerobic digestion efficiency and support low-carbon or carbon-negative technologies for effective carbon sequestration.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

[1] S. Li, L. Yuan, Carbon emission accounting and influencing factors for whole life cycle of coal industry, Journal of Coal Science & Engineering, 48 (2023) 2925-2935.

[2] D.R. Harp, P.H. Stauffer, D. O’Malley, Z. Jiao, E.P. Egenolf, T.A. Miller, D. Martinez, K.A. Hunter, R.S. Middleton, J.M. Bielicki, R. Pawar, Development of robust pressure management strategies for geologic CO2 sequestration, International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 64 (2017) 43-59.

[3] Z. Liao, J. Yang, X. Zhong, Y. Liu, J. Zhang, Review on Research Progress of Carbon Dioxide Geological Sequestration Technology, Chinese Journal of Underground Space and Engineering, 20 (2024) 497-507.

[4] R. Xu, P. Jiang, Research Progress of CO2 Geological Storage and Utilization Technology, China Basic Science, 20 (2018) 5.

[5] L. Wen, L. Huang, Y. Wang, Y. Yuan, L. Zhou, Facet-engineered hematite boosts microbial electrogenesis by synergy of promoting electroactive biofilm formation and extracellular electron transfer, Science of The Total Environment, 819 (2022).

[6] W. Zhao, X. Su, Y. Zhang, D. Xia, S. Hou, Y. Zhou, H. Fu, L. Wang, X. Yin, Microbial electrolysis enhanced bioconversion of coal to methane compared with anaerobic digestion: Insights into differences in metabolic pathways, Energy Conversion and Management, 259 (2022).

[7] R. Moreno, M.I. San-Martín, A. Escapa, A. Morán, Domestic wastewater treatment in parallel with methane production in a microbial electrolysis cell, Renewable Energy, 93 (2016) 442-448.