Bio-hydrogen production and optimization of fermentation pH, Initial substrate concentration using Distillery Spent wash as substrate with anaerobic mixed consortium

Abstract

The various factors have an effect on the Hydrogen production through Dark fermentation process. The
interface of various factors and their combined effects must be studied for enhance higher hydrogen yields. Fermentation of
organic substrate distillery spent wash as a carbon source on biological Hydrogen production with influence of parameters
was studied in batch experiments using heat treated (100oC for 1h) anaerobic sludge used as inoculums. Effective H2
production maximum at pH 5.5 compared to 6.0 and 5.0. The overall H2 generation was enhanced by Pre-treatment of
anaerobic sludge. Consequently fermentative hydrogen yield were recorded from batch reactors and combined effects of
initial pH, initial substrate concentration, and chemical oxygen demand (COD) and HRT. The feed consisting only Distillery
Spent Wash as primary substrate to enhance H2 yield. The work revealed that the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removal
efficiency, Initial pH and hydrogen production were determined to be 58%, 5.5 and 128.2 ml. The maximum bio-hydrogen
production of 114.8-128.2 ml/l was obtained at initial substrate concentration of 10,000 mg/l with initial pH 5.5 at HRT 8-
12hours. As a result the initial pH 5.5 as optimal to enhances the maximum bio-hydrogen production.