Reviewing the potential of bio-hydrogen production by fermentation
Résumé
Hydrogen is a common reactant in the petro-chemical industry and moreover recognized as a potential fuel
within the next 20 years. The production of hydrogen from biomass and carbohydrate feedstock, though undoubtedly
desirable and favored, is still at the level of laboratory or pilot scale. The present work reviews the
current researched pathways. Different types of carbohydrates, and waste biomass are identified as feedstock for
the fermentative bio-hydrogen production. Although all techniques suffer from drawbacks of a low H2 yield and
the production of a liquid waste stream rich in VFAs that needs further treatment, the technical advances foster
the commercial utilization. Bacterial strains capable of high hydrogen yield are assessed, together with advanced
techniques of co-culture fermentation and metabolic engineering. Residual VFAs can be converted. The review
provides an insight on how fermentation can be conducted for a wide spectrum of feedstock and how fermentation
effluent can be valorized by integrating fermentation with other systems, leading to an improved industrial
potential of the technique. To boost the fermentation potential, additional research should firstly target its
demonstration on pilot or industrial scale to prove the process efficiency, production costs and method reliability.
It should secondly focus on optimizing the micro-organism functionality, and should finally develop and
demonstrate a viable valorization of the residual VFA-rich waste streams.
Domaines
Génie chimique
Origine : Fichiers produits par l'(les) auteur(s)
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