Reactor start-up strategy as key for high and stable hydrogen production from cheese whey thermophilic dark fermentation

Author(s)

Lovato, Giovanna ^{[1, 2]} ; Gaspari Augusto, Isabela Mehi ^[1] ; Nunes Ferraz Junior, Antonio Djalma ^[3] ; Albanez, Roberta ^[1] ; Ratusznei, Suzana Maria ^[1] ; Etchebehere, Claudia ^[3] ; Zaiat, Marcelo ^[2] ; Domingues Rodrigues, Jose Alberto ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Maua Inst Technol EEM IMT, Maua Sch Engn, Praca Maua 1, BR-09580900 Sao Caetano do Sul, SP - Brazil

^[2] Sao Paulo Univ EESC USP, Sao Carlos Sch Engn, Ave Trabalhador Sao Carlense 400, BR-13566590 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[3] Minist Educ, Microbial Ecol Lab, Clemente Estable Biol Res Inst, Ave Italia 3318, Montevideo - Uruguay

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY; v. 46, n. 54, p. 27364-27379, AUG 5 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Using the right start-up strategy can be vital for successful hydrogen production from thermophilic dark fermentation (55 degrees C), but it needs to be affordable. Hence, three start-up strategies modifying only influent concentration and temperature were assessed in a reactor fed with cheese whey: (i) high temperature (55 degrees C) and a high organic loading rate (OLRA - 15 kgCOD m(-3) d(-1)) right at the beginning of the operation; (ii) slowly increasing temperature up to 55 degrees C using a high OLRA and (iii) slowly increasing temperature and OLR(A )up to the desired condition. Strategy (iii) increased hydrogen productivity in 39% compared to the others. The combination of high temperature and low pH thermodynamically favored H-2 producing routes. Synergy between Thermoanaerobacterium and Clostridium might have boosted hydrogen production. Three reactors of 41 m(3) each would be needed to treat 3.4 x 10(3) m(3) year(-1) of whey (small-size dairy industry) and the energy produced could reach 14 MWh month(-1). (C) 2021 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (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 type: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/17715-6 - Biohydrogen production by treating agro-industry wastes (whey and glycerin) in an AnSBBR operated in thermophilic condition
• Grantee: Giovanna Lovato
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 19/25395-4 - Hydrogen production assessment by biodiesel production effluent treatment in thermophilic condition
• Grantee: Isabela Mehi Gaspari Augusto
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation