Use of organic waste for biohydrogen production and volatile fatty acids via dark fermentation and further processing to methane. (13th September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Weide, Tobias; Brügging, Elmar; Wetter, Christof; Ierardi, Antonio; Wichern, Marc
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 44:Number 44(2019)
• Page Start: 24110
• Page End: 24125
• Publication Date: 2019-09-13
• Subjects: Two-stage process -- Wastewater -- Dark fermentation -- Hydrogen yield -- Volatile fatty acids -- Anaerobic digestion; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2019.07.140
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: Despite the suitability of organic waste for dark fermentation (DF), anaerobic digestion (AD) counteracts its large-scale use for biohydrogen production. Therefore, 12 types of organic waste obtained from sugar, textile, food, and milk industries are investigated in batch single-stage AD and compared energetically to batch two-stage DF with subsequent AD. From the viewpoint of DF, a parametric study of mesophilic and thermophilic conditions, different substrate concentrations, and mixed cultures, i.e., granular and digested sludge, is conducted. Hydrogen yields of 90–160 LN /kgoDM (mean) and maximum yields of 199–291 LN /kgoDM are achieved with starchy and sugary wastes. Concentrations of volatile fatty acids of 9.7–14.5 g/L (mean) show the possible material uses. Thermophilic conditions are more suitable than mesophilic ones. Furthermore granular sludge is applicable for DF. The energetic comparison of the procedures demonstrates a method for assessing the applicability of waste and allows preliminary economic estimations. Highlights: Six types of organic waste are either more or equally suitable for DF. Thermophilic conditions produce higher hydrogen yields than mesophilic conditions. Maximum VFA concentrations of 9.5–26.0 g/L are achieved with all organic residues. H2 yields of 90–160 LN /kgoDM (mean) are obtained with starchy and sugary wastes. Maximum H2 yields of 199–291 LN /kgoDM are obtained with starchy and sugary wastes.