Fermentative Hydrogen Production: Influence of Application of Mesophilic and Thermophilic Bacteria on Mass and Energy Balances

摘要

Fermentation of biomass residues and second generation biomasses is a possible way tornenable a sustainable production of hydrogen. The HYVOLUTION-project investigatesrnthe production of hydrogen by a 2-stage fermentation process of biomass. It consists ofrna dark fermentation step of sugars to produce hydrogen, CO_2 and organic acids followedrnby a photo-heterotrophic fermentation, in which all intermediates are converted to morernhydrogen and CO_2. This work compares the use of mesophilic and thermophilic bacteriarnin the dark fermentation step, analyzing the effects on the overall process. Based onrnexperimental results, simulation models developed with Aspen Plus V7.1~? are used torncalculate the mass- and energy balances of the process. Results show that darkrnfermentation at mesophilic conditions requires a higher amount of feedstocks but almostrnno heat input as well as smaller equipment. However, better economic performance isrnassumed for the thermophilic operation of the dark fermentation step.