Developing a novel direct liquid fuel cell based on pulping liquors

Abstract

AbstractThis work reports preliminary studies to develop new direct liquid fuel cells that employ two by‐products from kraft and sulfite pulp mills as the fuel, namely kraft black liquor (BL) and spent sulfite liquor (SSL). The composition and properties of BL and SSL are characterized, being determined a conductivity 40 times higher for BL than for SSL. The performance of the BL fuel cell (BLFC) and the SSL fuel cell (SSLFC) is assessed employing 5 M hydrogen peroxide solution as the oxidant at different pH values. For the BLFC, an anion‐exchange membrane (AEM) is used, and for the SSLFC, both AEM and cation‐exchange membrane (CEM) are tested. Different parameters that characterize the fuel cell performance (e.g., peak power density) are determined and compared with similar wastewater‐based fuel cells described in the literature. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first time two pulp mill by‐products (BL and SSL) are reported as fuels for application in fuel cells.