Low-temperature microbial and direct conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to electricity: Advances and challenges

Xuebing Zhao, Wei Liu, Yulin Deng and J.Y. Zhu

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2017, vol. 71, issue C, 268-282

Abstract: Conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to electricity using fuel cell technologies is a promising but challenging research topic for sustainable electricity production. This is because that lignocellulosic biomass generally cannot be directly used as a fuel for electricity generation in a conventional fuel cell with high efficiency. Typical fuel cells that can convert lignocellulosic biomass to electricity under mild conditions (<100°C) include microbial fuel cells (MFC) and novel direct biomass fuel cells (DBFC) such as that mediated by polyoxometalates (POMs) developed recently. However, the efficiency and power output for these low-temperature fuel cells still need to be improved for practical applications. In this review, we focus on the research advances of electricity generation in fuel cells that can be operated at low temperatures. More specifically, we discussed the progress, challenge and perspectives of biomass-fueled MFCs. Recent interesting researches on DBFC were also highlighted in terms of the efficiency, principles, and technological obstacles. As concluded in this work, lignocellulosic biomass is a promising feedstock for fuel cells because it is renewable, carbon neutral, and sustainable. However, the power density of lignocelluose-fueled MFC are usually far below that required for commercial applications. Improving fermentable sugar release from lignocellulosic biomass and increasing the cell output power are the main research points. DBFC can obtain a high theoretical exergy recovery; however, it is still in its early stage of development with low efficiency. More research should be focused on the electrode development, cell design, parameter optimization, process integration, as well as understanding fundamental process mechanisms.

Keywords: Lignocellulosic biomass; Electricity; Microbial fuel cell; Direct biomass fuel cell; Polyoxometalates (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032116311108
Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:rensus:v:71:y:2017:i:c:p:268-282

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/600126/bibliographic
http://www.elsevier. ... 600126/bibliographic

DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2016.12.055

Access Statistics for this article

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews is currently edited by L. Kazmerski

More articles in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews from Elsevier
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Catherine Liu ().