Different ratios of carbon sources in the fermentation of cheese whey and glucose as substrates for hydrogen and ethanol production in continuous reactors

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 39; no. 3; pp. 1288 - 1296
• Main Authors: Ferreira Rosa, Paula Rúbia, Santos, Samantha Christine, Silva, Edson Luiz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Alternative fuels. Production and utilization; Applied sciences; Cheese; Cheese whey; Co-fermentation; Crack opening displacement; Energy; Ethanol; Ethanol production; Ethyl alcohol; Exact sciences and technology; Fermentation; Fuels; Glucose; Hydrogen; Hydrogen production; Reactors; Whey; Co-fermentation; Cheese whey; Hydrogen production; Ethanol production; Ethanol; Hydrogen; Glucose; Fermentation
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2013.11.011

The fermentation of glucose, cheese whey and the mixture of glucose and cheese whey were evaluated in this study from two inocula sources (sludge from a UASB reactor for swine wastewater treatment and poultry slaughterhouse) for hydrogen production in continuous anaerobic fluidized bed reactors (AFBR). For all fermentations, a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 6 h and a substrate concentration of 5 g COD L−1 were used. In glucose fermentation, the maximum hydrogen yield (HY) was 1.37 mmol H2 g−1 COD. The co-fermentation of the cheese whey and glucose mixture was favorable for the concomitant production of hydrogen and ethanol, with yields of up to 1.7 mmol H2 g−1 COD and 3.45 mol EtOH g−1 COD in AFBR2. The utilization of cheese whey as a sole substrate resulted in an HY of 1.9 mmol H2 g−1 COD. Throughout the study, ethanol fermentation was evident. •Hydrogen and ethanol production in continuous anaerobic fluidized bed reactors.•1.92 mmol H2 g COD was produced using cheese whey.•3.45 mol EtOH g−1 COD was produced using cheese whey and glucose mixture.•The substrate mixture favored the simultaneous production of hydrogen and ethanol.