Hydrogen Production from Thermophilic, Anaerobic Fermentation using Biomass-Based Substrates

Hydrogen is an attractive energy carrier due to its high energy content and zero CO2 emission. Hence, hydrogen production from low-cost plant biomass should be considered, such as thermophilic hydrogen production from biomass-based substrates. Shuang Li of South China University of Technology tested the feasibility of this process in hydrogen production.

Sugarcane bagasse was used as the substrate for hydrogen production by Thermoanaerobacterium aotearoense SCUT27/Δldh. Maximum hydrogen production was achieved under the conditions of 2.3% H2SO4 for 114.2 min at 115°C. Given these conditions, the process achieved the best hydrogen yield of 1.86 mol H₂ per mol of total sugar and a hydrogen production rate (HPR) of 0.52 liters H per liter of substrate in a 2 liter sugarcane bagasse trial.

Thermophilic, anaerobic fermentation using SCB hydrolysates as the medium for Thermoanaerobacterium aotearoense is an intriguing, practical and eco-friendly process.