Semi-continuous photo-fermentative H2 production by Rhodobacter sphaeroides: effect of decanting volume ratio.
In this study, a semi-continuous operation of photo-fermentative H2-producing reactor was attempted at various decanting volume ratios (DVR, decanting volume per day/total working volume, %), ranging 30-70%, using Rhodobacter sphaeroides KD131. H2 production was not efficient with showing low H2 yields of 0.2 and 0.5 mol H2/mol succinate(added) at 30% and 40% DVR, respectively. The low performance ascribed to the fact that over 70% of substrate electrons were diverted towards cell growth under these conditions. Meanwhile, cell growth was limited at DVR≥50%; therefore, higher H2 yields (>2.0 mol H2/mol succinateadded) were observed. Both the highest H2 yield of 3.7 mol H2/mol succinateadded and production rate of 1494 mL H2/L-reactor/d were achieved at 60% DVR. The content of soluble microbial products (SMPs) was measured, which accounted for 3-15% of substrate electrons. It was found that the largest (65-75%) portion of SMPs comprised low molecular-weight (<3 kDa).
Wastes Energy Center, Korea Institute of Energy Research, 102 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-343, Republic of Korea.
Dong-Hoon
DH
Kim
Mi-Sun
MS
Kim
D004583:Electrons; D005285:Fermentation / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D008027:Light; D012242:Rhodobacter sphaeroides / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012995:Solubility / Q000528:radiation effects
D006859:Hydrogen