Fermentative Hydrogen Production Based on Bagasse Feedstock

摘要

Fermentative hydrogen production by bacterium Enterobacter aerogenes MTCC 2822 andClostridium butyricum from sugarcane waste, bagasse was studied. The residual sugar frombagasse was extracted by (a) acid hydrolysis yielding 2.5% sugar (w/w), while in (b) hot watertreatment yielding 1% sugar (w/w). Acid hydrolysate of bagasse improved H2 production rate(15 ml/l/h) over the water extract (11 ml/l/h) and so also, the extent of H2 yield that reached720 ml/l in the former case, in the latter, it was limited to 552 ml/l (2 days). A combination ofE. aerogenes plus C. butyricum (as Ca-alginate immobilisates) resulted in improved andsustained hydrogen production over the free cell counterpart. Such trials indicate feasibility ofusing the agrowaste bagasse in a cost-effective way. The commercialization of the processseems attractive as India with 286 MT of sugarcane production/year, ranks next to Brazil;bagasse output reaches 25% of the sugarcane milled. Also, the process is an alternative togasification route of hydrogen generation. This paper examines in detail the limitations andprospects of bimass-based hydrogen production with emphasis on the agrowaste feedstock.