Hydrogen Production of Rhodospirillum rubrum Uptake Hydrogenase Deficient Mutant in Tubular Photobioreactor

Abstract:

A 2 L tubular photobioreactor (PBR) was designed, and hydrogen production by Rhodospirillum rubrum uptake hydrogenase deficient mutant in this PBR under artificial illumination condition (including continuous illumination and light/dark cycle condition) and natural day/night cycle was investigated, respectively. Hydrogen production by R. rubrum uptake hydrogenase deficient mutant under artificial illumination lasts five days, and hydrogen yield under continuous illumination and light/dark cycle (12 h:12 h) reaches 5752 mL/PBR ± 158 mL/PBR and 5012 mL/PBR ± 202 mL/PBR, respectively. Under natural day/night cycle, hydrogen production lasts 6~10 days and the maximal hydrogen yield of R. rubrum reaches 2800 mL/PBR with the optimal light intensity of about 30000~40000 Lux. Hydrogen production under natural day/night cycle condition was lower than that under artificial illumination, however, it would be a promising technology of hydrogen production due to low cost and ease of operation of hydrogen production system.

Key words:Rhodospirillum rubrum, Photobioreactor, Light intensity, Artificial illumination, Natural day/night cycle, Hydrogen yield