EUBCE 2025 - Raquel ARNAL - Integrated Dark Fermentation- Bioelectrochemical System (DF-BES) for Hydrogen Production from Organic Waste

Integrated Dark Fermentation- Bioelectrochemical System (DF-BES) for Hydrogen Production from Organic Waste

Short Introductive summary

The H2ENRY project brings together five Spanish technology centers to advance renewable hydrogen technologies. Within this initiative, Leitat and EnergyLab are developing an integrated system combining dark fermentation (DF) and bioelectrochemical systems (BES) to enhance hydrogen production from organic waste. DF produces hydrogen-rich biogas and volatile fatty acids (VFAs), which serve as substrate for the BES, enabling improved energy recovery and pH balance. A double-chamber BES with an abiotic cathode was used to prevent methane contamination and increase H2 purity. Experimental results show promising hydrogen yields—up to 0.6 L H2/L/day in DF and 0.2 L H2/L/day in BES—with high COD removal and gas purities of 40–72%. The system is now being optimized with real waste substrates, targeting a production cost below 3 €/kg H2. These findings position DF-BES integration as a viable, scalable approach to renewable hydrogen generation from organic residues.

R. Arnal, Leitat - Acondicionamiento Tarrassense, Terrassa, SPAIN
J. Luque Rueda, Leitat - Acondicionamiento Tarrassense, Terrassa, SPAIN
P. Bosch, Leitat - Acondicionamiento Tarrassense, Terrassa, SPAIN
D. Molognoni, Leitat - Acondicionamiento TarrassenseOL, Terrassa, SPAIN
I. Regueiro, EnergyLab, Vigo, SPAIN
V. Marchisio, EnergyLab, Vigo, SPAIN
E. Borràs, Leitat - Acondicionamiento Tarrassense, Terrassa, SPAIN