Biological Hydrogen Production: Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation with Nitrogen and Phosphorus Removal from Wastewater Effluent
Abstract
A simple anaerobic biodegradation process using wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent, shredded paper, and a purge of nitrogen gas was used to produce hydrogen and simultaneously capture nitrogen and phosphorus. Two reactor configurations were tested as simultaneous saccharification and fermentation reactors. Using the classic batch reactor provided greater stability of hydrogen production and simplicity of operation, whereas using the sequencing batch reactor provided better nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiencies. Evaluation of nuclear magnetic resonance analyses showed acetic acid to be the main product from both reactors. Experiments with an argon purge in place of nitrogen and with ammonium chloride spiking suggested that hydrogenase and nitrogenase enzymes contributed similarly to hydrogen production in the cultures. Analysis of a single fermentation showed that hydrogen production occurred relatively early in the course of total organic carbon removal, and that follow-on treatments might extract more energy from the products.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA556938
Entities
People
- Melissa M. Dixon
- Steven P. Harvey