Optimization of simultaneous dark fermentation and microbial electrolysis cell for hydrogen production from macroalgae using response surface methodology

• Published in: Biochemical engineering journal Vol. 171; p. 108029
• Main Authors: Nguyen, Phan Khanh Thinh, Kim, Jihyeon, Das, Gautam, Yoon, Hyon Hee, Lee, Dal Ho
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.07.2021
• Subjects: Dark fermentation; Hydrogen; Microbial electrolysis cell; Response surface method; Saccharina japonica; Simultaneous process; Saccharina japonica; Microbial electrolysis cell; Response surface method; Hydrogen; Dark fermentation; Simultaneous process
• ISSN: 1369-703X; 1873-295X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2021.108029

[Display omitted] •Simultaneous dark fermentation and microbial electrolysis cell for H2 production.•Saccharina japonica was used as the model substrate.•A response surface methodology was employed to optimize the process.•Temperature, pH, and substrate concentration effects were high on the performance.•At the optimal conditions, H2 yield was higher than the previously reported values. In this study, H2 production from macroalgae by simultaneous dark fermentation (DF) and microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) in a single reactor, sDFMEC, was investigated, and the effects of particle size of substrate, temperature, initial pH, and substrate concentration on the sDFMEC performance was determined. The sDFMEC process were statistically optimized using a response surface method. The optimum substrate particle size achieved was 0.5–1.0 mm; however, it was not sufficiently significant because of the two-dimensional (2D) nature of the macroalgae substrate. However, the temperature, initial pH, and substrate concentration considerably affected the performance of sDFMEC. Based on the response surface analysis, the optimum conditions for a maximum H2 yield of 492.3 ± 5.1 mL/g-TS were as follows: temperature of 36.6 °C, initial pH of 7.44, and substrate concentration of 1.98 g/L. Under these operating conditions, the total energy efficiency achieved was 32.3 ± 0.2%. The results indicate that sDFMEC can be used as a promising method to produce H2 from macroalgae.