Effects of different pretreatments on hydrogen production from mariculture organic waste

Abstract:

[Objective] The utilization of using mariculture organic waste for anaerobic hydrogen fermentation could reduce organic pollutant and obtaining clean energy hydrogen simultaneously. [Methods] We used mariculture organic waste for hydrogen production, and investigated the effect of different pretreated methods of, solubilization by thermophilic enzyme (S-TE), acid, alkaline, sterilized, and microwave on mariculture organic waste hydrogen production. The efficiency of these pretreatments and profiles of SCOD, soluble protein and carbohydrate, pH value, VFAs and ethanol during the fermentation were also monitored. [Results] The maximum hydrogen yield was 22.0 mL/g VSS, which was obtained from sterilized pretreatment, whereas the minimum hydrogen yield of 7.6 mL/g VSS was obtained from acid pretreatment. The fermentation stopped after soluble carbohydrate was largely consumed. More nutrients could be released from mariculture organic waste after S-TE pretreatment than other pretreatments, and the pH value was remained stable during the fermentation. The main composition of VFAs was acetic acid, and ethanol was produced at the end of fermentation. [Conclusion] Sterilized pretreatment was the optimum pretreatment method of anaerobic hydrogen fermentation from mariculture organic waste, and soluble carbohydrate was the main nutrient resource during the fermentation.