Optimal conditions for biological hydrogen production from food waste

Abstract

© 2015 Korean Society of Environmental Engineers. Biohydrogen production from food waste via dark fermentation was conducted by using mixed culture under various environmental conditions (initial pH, initial F/M ratio, initial ferrous iron (Fe²⁺), and temperature condition) in batch reactor. The results revealed that the maximum hydrogen yield of 46.19 mL H<inf>2</inf>/g COD<inf>add</inf> was achieved at the optimal conditions (initial pH 8.0, initial F/M ratio 4.0, initial iron concentration 100 mg FeSO<inf>4</inf>/L and thermophilic condition (55±1°C)). Furthermore, major volatile fatty acid (VFA) productions of butyrate (765.66 mg/L) and acetate (324.69 mg/L) were detected and COD removal efficiency was detected at 66.00%. Therefore, these optimal conditions could be recommended to operate a system.