Recent insights into the cell immobilization technology applied for dark fermentative hydrogen production

• Published in: Bioresource technology Vol. 219; pp. 725 - 737
• Main Authors: Kumar, Gopalakrishnan, Mudhoo, Ackmez, Sivagurunathan, Periyasamy, Nagarajan, Dillirani, Ghimire, Anish, Lay, Chyi-How, Lin, Chiu-Yue, Lee, Duu-Jong, Chang, Jo-Shu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2016
• Subjects: adsorption; Biofuels; Biohydrogen; Bioreactor design; Bioreactors - microbiology; Biotechnology - instrumentation; Biotechnology - methods; carbon; Carbon - metabolism; Cell immobilization; Cells, Immobilized; Dark fermentation; encapsulation; Equipment Design; Fermentation; hydrogen; Hydrogen - metabolism; hydrogen production; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Microbial Consortia - physiology; Microorganisms; nanomaterials; Nanostructures - chemistry; Nanostructures - microbiology; Polymers - chemistry; upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor; Microorganisms; Biohydrogen; Dark fermentation; Bioreactor design; Cell immobilization
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2016.08.065

•Dark H2 fermentation performance could be enhanced with immobilized-cell systems.•Immobilization method and matrix used influences fermentation efficiency.•Adsorption and encapsulation are the preferred methods for immobilization.•Microorganisms immobilized and the effect of carbon sources is reviewed.•Effects of process variables and reactor design on H2 fermentation are presented. The contribution and insights of the immobilization technology in the recent years with regards to the generation of (bio)hydrogen via dark fermentation have been reviewed. The types of immobilization practices, such as entrapment, encapsulation and adsorption, are discussed. Materials and carriers used for cell immobilization are also comprehensively surveyed. New development of nano-based immobilization and nano-materials has been highlighted pertaining to the specific subject of this review. The microorganisms and the type of carbon sources applied in the dark hydrogen fermentation are also discussed and summarized. In addition, the essential components of process operation and reactor configuration using immobilized microbial cultures in the design of varieties of bioreactors (such as fixed bed reactor, CSTR and UASB) are spotlighted. Finally, suggestions and future directions of this field are provided to assist the development of efficient, economical and sustainable hydrogen production technologies.