A novel method for increasing biohydrogen production from food waste using electrodialysis

The impact of continuous removal of volatile fatty acids on fermentative hydrogen production from food waste (FW) in a Continuously Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR) was evaluated. Two experimental phases were conducted, a control phase and one in which volatile fatty acids were removed continuously from the reactor for the first time by electrodialysis (ED). Hydrogen yields were 64.7 cm(3) H-2/g VS and 227.3 cm(3) H-2/g VS for control phase, and ED phase respectively. Continuous removal of volatile fatty acids during fermentation not only increased H-2 yields but increased the production of volatile fatty acids (a valuable chemical feedstock) from 0.14 g/g VS to 0.34 g/g VS. (C) 2019 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.