Coupling wastewater treatment with fuel cells and hydrogen technology

Abstract

Fuel cells (FCs) and hydrogen technologies are emerging renewable energy sources with promising results when applied to wastewater treatment (WWT). These devices serve not only for power generation, but some specific FCs can also be employed for degradation of pollutants and synthesis of intermediates needed in WWT. Microbial FCs are potent devices for WWT, even containing refractory pollutants. Despite being a nascent technology with high capital expenses, the use of cost-effective materials, reduction of operational cost, and increased generation of energy and value-added chemicals such as hydrogen will facilitate the market penetration through selected niches and hybridization with alternative WWT technologies.