Renewable hydrogen anaerobic fermentation technology: Problems and potentials

• Published in: Renewable & sustainable energy reviews Vol. 114; p. 109340
• Main Authors: Fagbohungbe, Michael O., Komolafe, Abiodun O., Okere, Uchechukwu V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2019
• Subjects: Anaerobic digestion; Bio-nutrient; Biochemical; Mass transfer limitation; Reactor configuration; Renewable hydrogen; Bio-nutrient; Mass transfer limitation; Biochemical; Renewable hydrogen; Reactor configuration; Anaerobic digestion
• ISSN: 1364-0321; 1879-0690
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2019.109340

Hydrogen technology is essential to the decarbonisation of global economies because it addresses the variability and storage limitation of renewable energy. Several research literatures on hydrogen technology have focused on energy systems with minimum attention given to other fossil fuel driven sectors such as chemical and material production. For effective decarbonisation, the application of hydrogen in global economies must extend beyond the use of energy systems. Renewable hydrogen anaerobic fermentation is a suitable technology for converting the hydrogen substrate into gaseous fuel and precursors for material and green chemical production. The technology leverages on the well-established anaerobic digestion (AD) technology and can be selectively operated for a specific product. Although there are some problems associated with renewable hydrogen anaerobic fermentation, studies show different technological advancements in mitigating these challenges. This review focuses on the technological breakthroughs and limitations associated with renewable hydrogen anaerobic fermentation and provides insights on other products that could be derived from it, especially for a circular economy and the emerging market of green chemicals, sustainable agriculture, and bio-based product development. [Display omitted] •Challenges and opportunities for renewable hydrogen fermentation are introduced.•Limitations and conditions for enhancing microbial hydrogen uptake are reviewed.•Recent advances in increasing hydrogen gas dissolution are discussed.•Potential applications for renewable hydrogen technology aside energy fuel is reviewed.