Scale up of biohydrogen production by a pure strain; Clostridium butyricum TM-9A at regulated pH under decreased partial pressure

Clostridium butyricum TM-9A strain was employed as pure strain for scale up of fermentative hydrogen production in batch mode. In laboratory scale batch fermentations, 46 mmol/L hydrogen produced from molasses at optimum pH, molasses concentration and C/N ratio of; 7.5, 2.5%, and 10, respectively. Scale up of molasses fermentation by TM-9A strain in 13.5 L scale bioreactor under decreased partial pressure at regulated pH, enhnaced the hydrogen titer titer from 46 mmol H-2/L (in laboratory scale) to 73 mmol H-2/L (1.58 fold increase). Hydrogen productivity was 1650 mL/L. Scale up of glucose fermentation by TM-9A in 13.5 L scale bioreactor at optimumcondition produced; 71.9 mmol H-2/L (1634 mL/L). The biogas was composed of 65-60% H-2 and 35-40% CO2. Hydrogen yield of TM-9A from glucose and molasses in the proto scale fermentation process was, 3.335 mole H-2/mole glucose and 73 mmol H-2/9 g of COD reduced, respectively. These studies imply that Clostridum butyricum TM-9A strain has significant potential for hydrogen production from spent organic matter in pilot scale. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Clostridium butyricum TM-9A strain was used for scale up of fermentative hydrogen production from molasses and glucose, showing increased hydrogen yield at larger scale. The strain exhibited significant potential for hydrogen production from spent organic matter.