Trends in dark biohydrogen production strategy and linkages with transition towards low carbon economy: An outlook, cost-effectiveness, bottlenecks and future scope

The conventional fossil fuel showed a persistent and intense decline steadily over the past two decades have led to global deterioration of limited sustainable energy supplies. Furthermore, price fluctuations and its serious ecological consequences had piqued the interest of researchers mostly in domain of alternative renewable energy. Among all existing fuels, biohydrogen is documented because of its carbon-neutral, simple and sustainable output, low carbon emissions, and large energy density. Hydrogen (H2) generation from dark fermentation of biowaste is an enticing sustainable method which promotes in the creation of low carbon economy. This review details the overview of hydrogen yield form renewable feedstock through dark fermentation. It also detailed the recent trends such as pretreatment, addition of various additives, integrated options, etc., employed towards the enhancement of fermentation process to enrich the hydrogen production. Discussion about the inhibitory substances that affects the performance of fermentationprocess was incorporated. In addition, it elaborates the economic feasibility, challenges and limitation of the process along with future scope for the development of sustainable hydrogen economy.(c) 2021 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Automated summary

The decline in conventional fossil fuels over the past two decades has led to a global deterioration of sustainable energy supplies, sparking interest in alternative renewable energy. Biohydrogen, known for its carbon-neutral and sustainable output, low carbon emissions, and high energy density, has gained attention. This review provides an overview of hydrogen production through dark fermentation of renewable feedstock and discusses recent trends, challenges, and economic feasibility of the process.