Hybrid system for electrical generation and wastewater treatment using Photovoltaic and Fuel Cells

Abstract

Water and energy security continue to be primary threats to our lifestyle. The need of alternate eco-friendly fuel to generate electricity and recycle wastewater is increasing rapidly with the depletion of non-renewable electrical energy resources and scarcity of water. This study represents the importance and the necessity of increasing the efficiency of clean processes that treat the wastewater. Furthermore, generating electricity by environmental methods and focusing on solutions for remote areas that suffer from limited electrical and sewage networks were presented in a modern technique of treatment and generation the power. This study provides a power management and generation strategy for solar and fuel cells system for houses in Hebron City with a simulation of the system. The design was developed to meet total electrical load demand without need of grid connection. The models of simulation facilitate more understanding of the system. Thus the electrical components of the system, like photovoltaic panel, PEM fuel cell, electrolyzer, control management of hybrid system are modeled as a Simulink blocks by using matlab simulation program. The simulation show performance of electrical devices and load during the day. Also show the amount of hydrogen produce and consume during the 24 hours. A prototype design of MFC is applied. However, double chambered Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC) prototype in batch and semi-batch conditions was used to treat the house greywater and to generate some electricity. Chemical oxygen demand removal efficiency achieved in batch and semi-batch was 45.29%, 55.37% respectively and 61%, 75% for dissolved solids removal. The performance of the MFC decreased, when the wastewater concentration was decreased. Thus, MFC can provide cleared water and the maximum current obtained from grey wastewater was 0.73mA. Then this water can be electrolyzed by excess power from PV panels into Hydrogen and Oxygen. Hydrogen will be used to generate the electricity by Fuel cell. Thus the recycling water cover the demand of water by electrolyzer, also feed water for irrigation around the home.