Abstract
The use of Ca(OH)2 pre-treatment to improve fermentative biohydrogen yields, from wheat straw was investigated. Wheat straw was pre-treated with 7.4% (w/w) Ca(OH)2 at ambient temperature (20 °C) for 2, 5, 8, and 12 days, prior to 35 °C fermentation with sewage sludge inoculum. Biohydrogen yields were evaluated during dark fermentation and simultaneous saccharification fermentation (SSF) of total pre-treated straw material and compared to those from separated solid and hydrolysate fractions. Ca(OH)2 pre-treatment followed by SSF, exhibited a synergetic relationship. On average, 58.78 mL-H2 g-VS-1 was produced from SSF of pre-treated and filtered solids. This was accompanied by approximately a 10-fold increase in volatile fatty acid production, compared to the untreated control. By omitting pre-treatment hydrolysate liquors from SSF, H2 production increased on average by 35.8%, per VS of harvested straw. Additional inhibition studies indicated that CaCO3, formed as a result of pre-treatment pH control, could promote homoacetogenesis and reduce biohydrogen yields.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 16891-16901 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | International Journal of Hydrogen Energy |
Volume | 39 |
Issue number | 30 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 13 Oct 2014 |
Keywords
- Biohydrogen
- Calcium hydroxide
- Carbonate
- Dark fermentation
- Lignocellulose
- Wheat straw