The Start-Up of Continuous Biohydrogen Production from Cheese Whey: Comparison of Inoculum Pretreatment Methods and Reactors with Moving and Fixed Polyurethane Carriers

Abstract

This article presents the results of the start-up of continuous production of biohydrogen from cheese whey (CW) in an anaerobic filter (AF) and anaerobic fluidized bed (AFB) with a polyurethane carrier. Heat and acid pretreatments were used for the inactivation of hydrogen-scavengers in the inoculum (mesophilic and thermophilic anaerobic sludge). Acid pretreatment was effective for thermophilic anaerobic sludge to suppress methanogenic activity, and heat treatment was effective for mesophilic anaerobic sludge. Maximum specific yields of hydrogen, namely 178 mL/g chemical oxygen demand (COD) and 149 mL/g COD for AFB and AF, respectively, were obtained at the hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 4.5 days and organic load rate (OLR) of 6.61 kg COD/(m3 day). At the same time, the maximum hydrogen production rates of 1.28 and 1.9 NL/(L day) for AF and AFB, respectively, were obtained at the HRT of 2.02 days and OLR of 14.88 kg COD/(m3 day). At the phylum level, the dominant taxa were Firmicutes (65% in AF and 60% in AFB), and at the genus level, Lactobacillus (40% in AF and 43% in AFB) and Bifidobacterium (24% in AF and 30% in AFB).

A Review of Current Activities and Future Trends in Agrivoltaics

“…Obtaining high-quality fertilisers when using agricultural wastes in biogas power plants, the operation of those is also possible in combination with thermal photoelectric modules [35]. Also, the production of bio-hydrogen from agricultural wastes is becoming more and more relevant [36]. The importance of hydrogen as an energy carrier has been rethought recently, and the global environmental agenda forces to shift the priorities in energy carriers towards hydrogen, moreover, produced in a "green" way, using renewable technologies, not fossil fuels.…”

“…Among the crops studied in combination with AV were wheat [7,10], corn [35], rice, beans, peanuts, potatoes [7,19], sweet potatoes, beetroot [36], grapes [24], lettuce [10,13], Welsh onion [37], basil [34], spinach [34], celery, fennel, chard, tomato, pepper, zucchini, cucumber [10], eggplant, watermelon, pumpkin, various cabbages, Aloe vera [21], agave, taro, clover and other pasture crops [25], raspberry, strawberry, cherries, citrus fruits, and mushrooms.…”

Emerging Trends and Advancements in the Processing of Dairy Whey for Sustainable Biorefining

“…The presence of methanogens in cheese whey decreases the hydrogen yields as it tweaks the biochemical activities toward methane production. Methanogens in cheese whey are thermally inactivated (85 °C/30 min) [209,210]. Critical parameters like pH and temperature should be maintained during dark fermentation as they affect the activity of the hydrogenase enzyme and, in turn, affect hydrogen productivity [30].…”

A Mini-Review of Current Activities and Future Trends in Agrivoltaics

“…Obtaining high-quality fertilisers when using agricultural wastes in biogas power plants, the operation of those is also possible in combination with thermal photoelectric modules [42]. Also, the production of bio-hydrogen from agricultural wastes is becoming more and more relevant [43]. The importance of hydrogen as an energy carrier has been rethought recently, and the global environmental agenda forces to shift the priorities in energy carriers towards hydrogen, moreover, produced in a "green" way, using renewable technologies, not fossil fuels.…”