BIOCHEMICAL FUEL CELL
Abstract
The experimental investigation of microorganisms capable of producing hydrogen for fuel use is described. The microorganisms, Clostridium butyrium Clostridium butylicum, Photobacterium phosphoreum and Erwinia nimipressuralis were investigated utilizing various substrates. A statistical study utilizing a Fractional Factorial design was ap plied to the study of four microorganism - sub strate systems. The design involved seven fac tors at two levels. These were pH, temperature, substrate concentration, cell count, buffer con centration, agitation, and oxygen tension during growth. The results showed that different fac tors governed the H2 producing capacity of the different systems. The data will be applied to a complete factorial study to optimize conditions for hydrogen production. Rate studies with E. coli-glucose showed that high- temperature (35 C), anaerobic growth and glucose-supplemented media are required for maximum H2 production. This study investigated H2 evolution as a function of time as well as other experimental conditions. Preliminary experiments demonstrated that the hydrogen-producing capacity of an organism is re lated to the level of hydrogenase and formic de hydrogenase.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 31, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0409750
Entities
People
- G. C. Blanchard
- Paul S. May
- R. R. Foley
Organizations
- Melpar