Integrated renewable H2 production and industrial wastewater treatment using a semi-pilot scale flow electrolyzer

Author(s)

Sgarbi, Ricardo ; Mandelli, Cecilia M. ; Ruotolo, Luis A. M.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL; v. 507, p. 12-pg., 2025-03-01.

Abstract

Integration of mandatory wastewater treatment with renewable H2 production has been explored as a costreduction strategy, by trading the generated H2 as feedstock to relevant industries. A semi-pilot scale flow electrolyzer, innovatively designed for this purpose, demonstrated promising performance. Both the cathodic hydrogen evolution reaction and the anodic organic electrooxidation were investigated under two sets of operational conditions: (i) temperature, current density, and conductivity, and (ii) membrane type, and catholyte concentration. Thereupon, it is observed that a highly conductive, alkalinized catholyte, in combination with a low-cost anion exchange membrane, enhances both reactions by amplifying conductivity, promoting OH- ion transport, and accelerating anode kinetics. Furthermore, the electrolyzer successfully treated industrial wastewater while simultaneously producing renewable H2 with low CO2 emissions: 2.0 kgCO2 kgH2 cost was mainly influenced by electricity prices, ranging from 2.7 to 15.7 US$ kgH2 (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 23/06600-1 - Production of green hydrogen from electrochemical treatment of industrial effluents
• Grantee: Luis Augusto Martins Ruotolo
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 24/11001-2 - Development of electrochemical reactors with three dimensional electrodes to remove organic pollutants by electrocoagulation and electrodegradation
• Grantee: Ricardo Sgarbi de Moraes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 22/12895-1 - Advanced processes for the degradation of emerging pollutants: catalytic materials, electroanalytical sensors and scientific dissemination
• Grantee: Marcos Roberto de Vasconcelos Lanza
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants