Abstract
The effect of substrate concentration on hydrogen production was investigated using a continuous-flow stirred-tank reactor (CSTR). Sucrose was used as a model substrate. The CSTR was started at a sucrose concentration of 30 g COD/L and exhibited stable H2 production for 271 days at inlet sucrose concentrations of 10-60 g COD/L. Hydrogen production depended on the substrate concentration such that the highest values of 1.09 mol H 2/mol hexoseadded, 1.22 mol H2/mol hexose consumed, 7.65 L H2/L/d, and 3.80 L H2/g VSS/d were recorded at a sucrose concentration of 30 g COD/L. All bacterial species detected by polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis were H2-producing Clostridium spp. At inlet sucrose concentrations below 20 g COD/L, the H2 yield per hexose consumed decreased along with a significant decrease in the n-butyrate/acetate ratio. At the same range of sucrose concentrations, Clostridium scatologenes (an H2-consuming acetogen) was found in the sludge. At inlet sucrose concentrations over 35 g COD/L, substrate overload occurred and caused a decrease in the carbohydrate degradation efficiency and H2 yield per hexoseadded.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 199-207 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Process Biochemistry |
Volume | 41 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2006 Jan |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This work was supported by grant no. M1-0203-00-0063 from the National Research Laboratory Program of the Korean Ministry of Science and Technology.
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Bioengineering
- Biochemistry
- Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology