Effect of inoculum concentration, pH, light intensity and lighting regime on hydrogen production by phototrophic microbial consortium

• Published in: Renewable energy Vol. 75; pp. 1 - 7
• Main Authors: Lazaro, Carolina Zampol, Varesche, Maria Bernadete Amâncio, Silva, Edson Luiz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2015
• Subjects: Bacteria; COD removal efficiency; Consortia; Constants; Culture; Culture conditions; Hydrogen production; Illumination; Inoculum; Organic acids; Phototrophic bacterial consortium; Phototrophic bacterial consortium; Organic acids; Culture conditions; COD removal efficiency
• ISSN: 0960-1481; 1879-0682
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2014.09.034

Photobiological hydrogen production using a bacterial consortium has advantages over pure cultures regarding application to wastewater treatment. Photo-H2 production from organic acids, which were produced by dark fermentation, must be studied in detail to make a hydrogen production process in two stages efficient. In this scenario, our study aimed to determine the optimized culture conditions for hydrogen production by a phototrophic bacterial consortium. The inoculum concentration, pH, light intensity and illumination protocols were the parameters that we evaluated. The optimal conditions for hydrogen production were inoculum concentration of 0.2 g VSS L−1, pH 7.0, light intensity of 5 klux, with a constant illumination regime. The highest hydrogen production potential (P) and substrate conversion efficiency (SCE) were 41.5 mmol H2 L−1 culture and 25.4%, respectively, with a COD removal of 95%. •Photo-H2 production by phototrophic microbial consortium using organic acids.•Effect of inoculum concentration, pH, light intensity, lighting regime on H2 production.•Optimal conditions: 0.2 g VSS L−1, pH 7.0, 5 klux and continuous illumination.•H2 production and substrate conversion efficiency: 41.5 mmol H2 L−1 culture and 25.4%.•Consortium with high potential of organic acid consumption and COD removal (95%).