One waste and two products: choosing the best operational temperature and hydraulic retention time to recover hydrogen or 1,3-propanediol from glycerol fermentation

Author(s)

Simoes, Andreza Nataline ^[1] ; da Costa, Talles Barcelos ^[2] ; de Menezes, Camila Aparecida ^[1] ; Silva, Edson Luiz ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Engn Sao Carlos, Dept Hydraul & Sanitat, Av Joao Dagnone, 1100-Jd, BR-13563120 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Chem Engn, Rod Washington Luis, Km 235, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering; v. 44, n. 12 AUG 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the production of hydrogen and 1,3-propanediol from crude glycerol (10 g/L) in mesophilic (30 degrees C) and thermophilic (55 degrees C) anaerobic fluidized bed reactors, namely AFBR(30 degrees C) and AFBR(55 degrees C), respectively, at hydraulic retention times (HRT) reduced from 8 to 1 h. In AFBR(30 degrees C), the absence or low hydrogen yields can be attributed to the production of 1,3-propanediol (maximum of 651 mmol/mol glycerol), and the formation of caproic acid (maximum of 1097 mg/L) at HRTs between 8 and 2 h. In AFBR(55 degrees C), the hydrogen yield of 1.20 mol H-2/mol glycerol consumed was observed at the HRT of 1 h. The maximum yield of 1,3-propanediol in AFBR(55 degrees C) was equal to 804 mmol/mol glycerol at the HRT of 6 h and was concomitant with the production of hydrogen (0.87 mol H-2/mol glycerol consumed) and butyric acid (1447 mg/L). (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