Stability problems in the hydrogen production by dark fermentation: Possible causes and solutions

Author(s):Show less -

Castello, Elena ^[1] ; Nunes Ferraz-Junior, Antonio Djalma ^[2] ; Andreani, Cristiane ^[3] ; Anzola-Rojas, Melida del Pilar ^[4] ; Borzacconi, Liliana ^[1] ; Buitron, German ^[5] ; Carrillo-Reyes, Julian ^[5] ; Gomes, Simone Damasceno ^[3] ; Maintinguer, Sandra I. ^{[6, 7]} ; Moreno-Andrade, Ivan ^[5] ; Palomo-Briones, Rodolfo ^[8] ; Razo-Flores, Elias ^[8] ; Schiappacasse-Dasati, Maria ^[9] ; Tapia-Venegas, Estela ^[9] ; Valdez-Vazquez, Idania ^[5] ; Vesga-Baron, Alejandra ^[9] ; Zaiat, Marcelo ^[4] ; Etchebehere, Claudia ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Republica, Engn Fac, Chem Engn Inst, BioProA Lab, Herrera & Reissig 565, Montevideo - Uruguay

^[2] Minist Educ, Biol Res Inst Clemente Estable, BioGem Dept, Microbial Ecol Lab, Av Italia 3318, Montevideo - Uruguay

^[3] State Univ West Paran UNIOESTE, Grad Program Agr Engn, 2069 Univ St, BR-85819210 Cascavel, PR - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Biol Proc Lab, Sao Carlos Sch Engn, LPB, EESC, Av Joao Dagnone 1100, BR-13563120 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[5] Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Lab Res Adv Proc Water Treatment, Unidad Acad Juriquilla, Inst Ingn, Blvd Juriquilla 3001, Queretaro 76230 - Mexico

^[6] UNESP, IPBEN, Bioenergy Res Inst, BR-13550230 Rio Claro, SP - Brazil

^[7] Univ Araraquara, BR-14801320 Araraquara, SP - Brazil

^[8] Inst Potosino Invest Cient & Tecnol AC, Div Ciencias Ambientales, Camino Presa San Jose 2055, Col Lomas 4a Secc, San Luis Potosi 78216, Slp - Mexico

^[9] Pontificia Univ Catolica Valparaiso, Fac Ingn, Escuela Ingn Bioquim, Av Brasil 2085, Valparaiso - Chile

• Document type: Review article
• Source: RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS; v. 119, MAR 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

H-2 production by dark fermentation using mixed cultures has been studied intensively during the last two decades, and its feasibility has been demonstrated. Different substrates, operational conditions, and reactor technologies have been widely studied and there is a general agreement that the use of non-sterile fermentable substrates is required to make the process feasible for scaling up. Nonetheless, stability problems during long term operation may hinder its application at large scale. This work, written by members of the Latin American Biohydrogen Network, analyse and discuss instability causes and possible solutions in the H-2 production by dark fermentation. It is concluded that instability is mostly linked to the biotic aspects of the process (i.e., changes in the microbial community composition, presence of organisms that consume hydrogen and compete for the substrate, and accumulation of fermentation products); regardless of the reactor configuration. However, some problems like excessive growth of microorganisms and methanogens presence were mostly reported in fixed bed reactors and granular sludge reactors. The novelty of this work relies on the comprehensive revision of the main causes behind the unstable and low hydrogen production and how these causes are linked to the technology used. The strategies to overcome the problems as well as the potential implications are also analysed. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/06246-7 - Biorefinery concept applied to biological wastewater treatment plants: environmental pollution control coupled with material and energy recovery
• Grantee: Marcelo Zaiat
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants