Using filtrate of waste biosolids to effectively produce bio-hydrogen by anaerobic fermentation

Water Res. 2003 Jun;37(11):2789-93. doi: 10.1016/S0043-1354(03)00004-6.

Abstract

Waste biosolids collected from sewage works is a biomass containing a vast amount of polysaccharides and proteins, and thus is considered a potential substrate for producing hydrogen using anaerobic fermentation. This work demonstrated, contrary to the common assumption, that the solids phase in waste activated biosolids presents extra nutrients for anaerobes; it in fact prohibits effective bio-hydrogen production. Using filtrate after removal of solids from biosolids produces more hydrogen than using the whole biosolids, with the former reaching a level an order of magnitude higher than the literature results.

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria, Anaerobic / physiology*
  • Bioelectric Energy Sources*
  • Conservation of Natural Resources*
  • Fermentation
  • Filtration
  • Hydrogen / analysis*
  • Sewage / chemistry
  • Sewage / microbiology
  • Waste Disposal, Fluid*

Substances

  • Sewage
  • Hydrogen