Biohydrogen production, sludge granulation, and microbial community in an anaerobic inner cycle biohydrogen production (AICHP) reactor at different hydraulic retention times

This study investigated the continuous biohydrogen production in an anaerobic inner cycle biohydrogen production (AICHP) reactor fed with synthetic molasses wastewater as the model substrate under mesophilic conditions (37 +/- 1 C-circle). The hydraulic retention times (HRTs) were set as 6.12, 4.90, 4.08, 3.50, and 3.06 h. Both maximum hydrogen production rate (HPR) (8.08 +/- 0.48 L/L/d) and maximum granule formation were achieved at the HRT of 3.50 h. Acetic acid and butyric acid were the dominant metabolites in all tested HRTs throughout the experiment. Microbial community analysis showed that shortening the HRT promoted hydrogen production. This was mainly achieved by enhancing the growth of acetogenic bacteria in the AICHP reactor, rather than the growth of hydrogen-producing bacteria. (c) 2021 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study found that shortening the hydraulic retention time can enhance hydrogen production in an anaerobic inner cycle biohydrogen production reactor, mainly by promoting the growth of acetogenic bacteria.