Lab-scale bioreactor integrated with active membrane system for hydrogen production: experience and prospects

The development of new, low-energy consuming and clean technologies can include the utilization of organic wastes with the production of high-quality fuel gases (methane, hydrogen). This paper presents the results of organic wastes' bioconversion into hydrogen and of the respective H-2/CO2 gas mixtures' separation by using active membrane systems (membrane contactors) with moving liquid carriers. Rhodobacter capsulatus was used for lactate or low organic decomposition to H-2-containing gas mixture and Thermohydrogenium kirishi was used for hydrogen production from glucose. Active membrane system was used for the separation of H-2/CO2 gas mixtures with the production of high-purity hydrogen. The possibility of integration of gas separating membrane systems with aerobic or anaerobic bioreactors are considered as well. (C) 2002 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.