title: Assessment of optimum dilution ratio for biohydrogen production by anaerobic co-digestion of press mud with sewage and water.
abstract: Anaerobic co-digestion of press mud with water or sewage at ratios of 1:7.5, 1:10 and 1:12.5 were performed in continuously fed UASB reactors for hydrogen production. At a constant hydraulic retention time of 30 h, the specific hydrogen production rate was 187 mL/g volatile solids (VS) reduced during maximum biohydrogen production of 7960 mL/day at a 1:10 ratio of press mud to sewage. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) and VS reductions of 61% and 59% were noted on peak biohydrogen yield. A pH range of 5-6 was suitable at ambient temperature for entire process; a lower pH was inhibitory. Co-digestion of acidic press mud with sewage controlled pH for fermentation. Hence press mud can be exploited for biohydrogen production.
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil Engineering, Pondicherry Engineering College, Puducherry, India. radjaram@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Radjaram
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Saravanane
mesh_terms: D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000378:metabolism*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D012722:Sewage / Q000382:microbiology*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D014871:Water Microbiology
chemical_list: D012722:Sewage; D012987:Soil; D014867:Water; D006859:Hydrogen