Abstract
Abstract In this study, hydrogen production was analyzed along with methane and carbon dioxide generation using paroxetine, venlafaxine, and o-desmethylvenlafaxine (ODV) as substrates in single-chamber microbial electrolysis cells (MECs). Combinations of all three drugs were examined at concentrations of 750 ng/mL and 170 ng/mL. At the beginning of MEC operations using a 750 ng/mL mixture of drugs, there was no hydrogen or methane, but carbon dioxide was detected. When the concentration of the drug mixture was reduced to 170 ng/mL, MECs produced hydrogen and methane gas. Removal of the drugs during MEC operations was also analyzed using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Paroxetine, venlafaxine and ODV drugs were removed up to 99% by MECs. In conclusion, MECs could offer an alternative treatment method for wastewaters containing psychoactive pharmaceuticals with the added benefit of fuel hydrogen generation.
Highlights
Renewable energy sources are being researched to meet the energy needs of increasing populations, and recent efforts have focused on the production of biohydrogen from wastewaters and organic wastes (Digman & Kim 2008)
Hydrogen production was not observed in the control and voltage applied samples when 750 ng/mL drugs were applied to microbial electrolysis cells (MECs)
While 1.3 mL CO2 accumulated in the voltage applied samples, 1.9 mL CO2 accumulated in the control. These results indicate that 0.7 V voltage application is suitable for hydrogen production in MECs in the absence of the drugs, but Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) drugs at high concentration may inhibit hydrogen production possibly because of negative impacts on microorganisms
Summary
Renewable energy sources are being researched to meet the energy needs of increasing populations, and recent efforts have focused on the production of biohydrogen from wastewaters and organic wastes (Digman & Kim 2008). Using water to produce hydrogen is expensive so hydrogen production from wastewater for sustainable energy generation is of interest (Nath & Das 2004; Obeid et al 2009). Fossil fuels are not renewed and cause many environmental problems. Hydrogen can turn into electricity or water when burned. For this reason, hydrogen is thought to be the most attractive alternative fuel to replace fossil fuels (Das & Veziroglu 2001; Wang & Wan 2009). Hydrogen is a renewable and efficient, clean energy source, there are several drawbacks such as production cost and storage
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