Effect of process variables on photosynthetic algal hydrogen production.
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a green alga that can use the sun's energy to split water into O(2) and H(2). This is accomplished by means of a two-phase cycle, an aerobic growth phase followed by an anaerobic hydrogen production phase. The effects of process variables on hydrogen production are examined here. These variables include cell concentration, light intensity, and reactor design parameters that affect light transport and mixing. An optimum cell concentration and light intensity are identified, and two reactor designs are compared. The maximum hydrogen production observed in this study was 0.29 mL of hydrogen per milliliter of suspension. This was measured at atmospheric pressure during a 96 h production cycle. This corresponds to an average hydrogen production rate of 0.12 mmol/mL.h.
Hahn
John J
JJ
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA.
Ghirardi
Maria L
ML
Jacoby
William A
WA
D000818:Animals; D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002696:Chlamydomonas / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D020650:Combinatorial Chemistry Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D008027:Light; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D013696:Temperature
D006859:Hydrogen