Effect of low pH on the activity of hydrogen utilizing methanogen in bio-hydrogen process

    Authors

    I. S. Kim; M. H. Hwang; N. J. Jang; S. H. Hyun;S. T. Lee

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Int. J. Hydrog. Energy

    Keywords

    anaerobic bio-hydrogen production; pH effect; butyrate and butanol type; fermentation; methanogenic activity; ANAEROBIC TREATMENT; FERMENTATION; SLUDGE; KINETICS; CARBOHYDRATE; CULTURES; Chemistry, Physical; Electrochemistry; Energy & Fuels

    Abstract

    The pH is one of the most important parameters for producing hydrogen in biological processes. The major effect of low pH is the inhibition of the methanogenic activity in anaerobic biological processes for the production of hydrogen and, in general, it is considered that a pH below 5 can inhibit the methanogenic activity. In a semi-continuous reactor for the production of hydrogen, the pH was maintained at 4.5 +/- 0.2 by fixing the influent alkalinity to 1000 mg/l as CaCO3. The primary fermentation product in this pH range was butyrate. The rate of hydrogen production stabilized at 35 5 ml/g Glu-day after 35 days. The yield efficiency of hydrogen was relatively low due to the methanogenic activity. The methanogenic activity originated from the hydrogen utilizing methanogen, and was inhibited by the addition of nitrate. At pH 4.3, the butyrate type of fermentation was changed to the butanol type and, simultaneously, the production of hydrogen stopped. (C) 2003 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

    Journal Title

    International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

    Volume

    29

    Issue/Number

    11

    Publication Date

    1-1-2004

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    1133

    Last Page

    1140

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000221946700006

    ISSN

    0360-3199

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