Application of nanoparticles to increase biological hydrogen production: the difference in metabolic pathways in batch and continuous reactors

Author(s)

Moura, Alana G. L. ; Rabelo, Camila A. B. S. ; Silva, Edson L. ; Varesche, Maria Bernadete A.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY; v. N/A, p. 9-pg., 2023-05-11.

Abstract

An alternative to improve the production of biorefinery products, such as biohydrogen (H-2) and volatile fatty acids (VFA), is the combination of nanotechnology and biological processes. In order to compare the use of both processes in two different reactor configurations, batch reactors and continuous anaerobic fluidized bed reactors (AFBR) were studied under the same conditions (37 degrees C, pH 6.8, Clostridium butyricum as an inoculum and glucose as a substrate) to evaluate the influence of zero valence iron and nickel nanoparticles (NPs) on H-2 and VFA production. There was a shift in the production of acetic and butyric acids to produce mainly valeric acid when NPs were added in batch reactors. Meanwhile, in AFBR the change was from lactic acid to butyric and acetic acids with the addition of NPs. It showed that the effect of NPs on the fermentation process was different when the configuration of batch and continuous reactors was compared. The H-2 yield in both reactor configurations increased with the addition of NPs. In batch reactors from 6.6 to 8.0 mmol H-2 g(-1) of COD and in AFBR from 4.9 to 6.2 mmol of H-2 g(-1) of COD. Therefore, given the simplicity and low cost of the synthesis of metallic NPs, it is a promising additive to optimize the fermentation process in different reactor configurations. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/23008-8 - Assessment of Iron and Nickel nanoparticles influence on batch and continuous reactors fermentative hydrogen production
• Grantee: Alana Gandra Lima de Moura
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• 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
• FAPESP's process: 18/26470-7 - Influence of sugarcane bagasse saccharification by laccase for fermentative production of biofuels
• Grantee: Camila Abreu Borges da Silva Rabelo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral