Semi-pilot scale production of hydrogen from Organic Fraction of Solid Municipal Waste and electricity generation from process effluents

• A semi pilot scale production of hydrogen on OFSMW gave a yield of 246.93 ml H2 g−1 TVS.
• Using Microbial Fuel cell, the effluents generated an electrical power density of 210 mW/m2.
• A COD removal efficiency of 50.12% was achieved concomitantly with bioelectricity generation.

The production of hydrogen from Organic Fraction of Solid Municipal Waste (OFSMW) was studied on a semi-pilot scale. The potential of generating electricity using the process effluents was further assessed using a two-chambered Microbial Fuel Cell. A maximum hydrogen fraction of 46.7% and hydrogen yield of 246.93 ml H2 g−1 Total Volatile Solids was obtained at optimum operational setpoints of 7.9, 30.29 °C and 60 h for pH, temperature and hydraulic retention time (HRT) respectively. A maximum electrical power density of 0.21 W m-2 (0.74 A m−2) was recorded at 500 Ω and the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency of 50.1% was achieved from the process. The process economics of energy generation from organic wastes could be significantly improved by integrating a two-stage process of fermentative hydrogen production and electricity generation.