Feasibility assessment of biological hydrogen production from organic fraction of municipal solid waste using facultative anaerobic bacteria
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Date
2017-09
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G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand)
Abstract
The rapid consumption of non-renewable fossil fuels has resulted in the environmental pollution and severe energy crisis, which emphasize the importance of renewable biofuel production. Biological hydrogen is a carbon-free renewable energy carrier, with high energy density. Biological hydrogen production methods are less energy intensive, environmental-friendly and sustainable compared to the current energy production methods. Anaerobic digestion is an effective means of organic waste utilization and hydrogen production. At the same time, waste disposal is a problem of the modern times. Most of this waste is dumped in open areas creating severe environmental problems. The organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) is highly degradable, thus anaerobic fermentation of OFMSW can be one of the promising methods to generate hydrogen as it is abundant and free of cost. It provides an eco-friendly solution to organic waste by converting waste to biofuel. The present study investigates the feasibility assessment of biological hydrogen production from organic fraction of municipal solid waste. Co-culture of two facultative anaerobic bacteria viz. E. coli and Enterobacter aerogenes were applied for the investigation. Culture conditions were optimized to gain maximum hydrogen production. Various chemical compounds such as surfactants, antifoaming agents, biochar, ferric species etc were applied to improve hydrogen production. Some inhibitors such as furan derivatives, phenolic compounds and heavy metals were also analyzed for their effect on hydrogen production and yield. From the present investigation it can be concluded that proper optimization of fermentation conditions can significantly improve hydrogen production and yield. Based on the findings of the present study it is recommended to further investigate the effect of different substrates and microbial cultures on hydrogen production in order to increase the hydrogen yield.
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