Co-Fermentation of Cheese Whey and Crude Glycerol in EGSB Reactor as a Strategy to Enhance Continuous Hydrogen and Propionic Acid Production.
This study evaluated the production of hydrogen and propionic acid in an expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactor by co-fermentation of cheese whey (CW) and crude glycerol (CG). The reactor was operated at hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 8 h by changing the CW/CG ratio from 5:1 to 5:2, 5:3, 5:4, and 5:5. At the ratio of 5:5, HRT was reduced from 8 to 0.5 h. The maximum hydrogen yield of 0.120 mmol H2g COD-1was observed at the CW/CG ratio of 5:1. Increasing the CG concentration repressed hydrogen production in favor of propionic acid, with a maximum yield of 6.19 mmol HPr g COD-1at the CW/CG ratio of 5:3. Moreover, by reducing HRT of 8 to 0.5 h, the hydrogen production rate was increased to a maximum value of 42.5 mL H2h-1L-1at HRT of 0.5 h. The major metabolites were propionate, 1,3-propanediol, acetate, butyrate, and lactate.
Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luis, km 235, CEP, São Carlos, SP, 13565-905, Brazil.
Helberth Júnnior Santos
HJS
Lopes
Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luis, km 235, CEP, São Carlos, SP, 13565-905, Brazil.
Lucas Rodrigues
LR
Ramos
Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luis, km 235, CEP, São Carlos, SP, 13565-905, Brazil. edsilva@ufscar.br.
Edson Luiz
EL
Silva
D056804:Biofuels / Q000382:microbiology; D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology*; D002611:Cheese; D005285:Fermentation; D005990:Glycerol / Q000378:metabolism*; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D007700:Kinetics; D011422:Propionates / Q000378:metabolism*; D012722:Sewage / Q000382:microbiology*; D000067796:Whey / Q000378:metabolism*
D056804:Biofuels; D011422:Propionates; D012722:Sewage; D006859:Hydrogen; C029658:propionic acid; D005990:Glycerol
1,3-Propanediol; Cheese whey; Crude glycerol; EGSB; Propionic acid