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Biohydrogen production through fermentation using liquid swine manure as substrate.

Jun Zhu¹, Xiao Wu, Curtis Miller

¹Southern Research and Outreach Center, University of Minnesota, Waseca, MN, USA. zhuxx034@umn.edu

Journal of Environmental Science and Health. Part. B, Pesticides, Food Contaminants, and Agricultural Wastes

|May 3, 2007

Summary

Continuous hydrogen production from swine manure fermentation is feasible. Optimizing hydraulic retention time (HRT) and limiting methane and oxygen are key for efficient, consistent hydrogen yields.

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Area of Science:

Biotechnology
Renewable Energy
Environmental Engineering

Background:

Liquid swine manure presents a significant waste stream with potential for bioenergy production.
Fermentation is a viable biological process for converting organic waste into valuable products like hydrogen gas.
Optimizing fermentation conditions is crucial for maximizing hydrogen yield and purity.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the continuous production of hydrogen gas from liquid swine manure using a semi-continuously fed fermenter.
To evaluate the impact of hydraulic retention time (HRT) on hydrogen yield and offgas composition.
To identify optimal conditions for maximizing hydrogen concentration and minimizing methane and oxygen content.

Main Methods:

Utilized an 8 L fermenter (4 L working volume) with controlled pH (5.3 +/- 0.1) and temperature (35 +/- 1 °C).
Investigated three hydraulic retention times (HRTs): 16, 20, and 24 hours.
Analyzed offgas composition, specifically hydrogen, methane, and oxygen concentrations.

Main Results:

Hydraulic retention time significantly influences fermenter performance and hydrogen concentration consistency.
An HRT not exceeding 16 hours is recommended for consistent hydrogen production, though it did not fully suppress methanogenesis (approx. 5% methane).
Limiting methane to below 2% and oxygen below 1.5% increased hydrogen concentration to over 15%, with a product-to-substrate ratio of approximately 50%.

Conclusions:

Continuous hydrogen production from swine manure is achievable with optimized fermentation parameters.
Controlling HRT, methane, and oxygen levels are critical for enhancing hydrogen yield and purity.
This study demonstrates the potential of swine manure as a sustainable substrate for biohydrogen production.