Date of Award

2005

Publication Type

Master Thesis

Degree Name

M.A.Sc.

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Keywords

Engineering, Environmental.

Rights

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

Abstract

Dark fermentation is an attractive process for hydrogen (H2) production from organic substrates. Rapid conversion of H2 to other products, particularly methane, is a major hindrance to H2 accumulation and recovery from the process. Long chain fatty acids (LCFAs) namely oleic (C18:0) acid (OA) and linoleic (C18:1) acid are inhibitors of aceticlastic methanogens and are suspected inhibitors of hydrogenotrophic methanogens. However, the effect of such inhibition on increasing H2 recovery from organic substrates has not been examined. Hence, in this study, C18 LCFAs were used to increase the quantity of H2 from glucose degradation. Batch experiments were conducted at 23 +/- 2°C to examine the effect of LCFA concentration (0 to 2,000 mg 1-1) and the initial pH (pH 5, 6 and 7.8) on the fermentative H2 production. Glucose was re-injected on day 4 or day 5 to examine the combined effect of LCFA, volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and intermittent sparging on H2 production. H2 production was a function of LCFA concentration and the initial pH. The maximum H2 yield recorded was approximately 2.7 mol H2·mol-1 glucose in cultures receiving LA at an initial pH of 6. Glucose degradation was inhibited in cultures receiving LCFA. Inhibition of glucose degradation was enhanced at lower initial pH values. Overall, the data demonstrated that LA and OA can be used to enhance H 2 accumulation and recovery from organic substrates.Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis2005 .G87. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 44-03, page: 1472. Thesis (M.A.Sc.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 2005.

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