Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026
07:34
Biogas Purification through the use of a Microalgae-Bacterial System in Semi-Industrial High Rate Algal Ponds
Published on: March 22, 2024
Swine manure fermentation for hydrogen production.
1Southern Research and Outreach Center, University of Minnesota, Waseca, MN 56093, USA. zhuxx034@umn.edu
Bioresource Technology
|January 23, 2009
Summary
This study optimized biohydrogen fermentation using swine manure and glucose. The best results for hydrogen production were achieved at pH 5.0 and a 16-hour hydraulic retention time, limiting methane to below 2%.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Renewable Energy
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Liquid swine manure is a potential substrate for biohydrogen production.
- Optimizing fermentation conditions is crucial for efficient hydrogen generation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of pH and hydraulic retention time (HRT) on biohydrogen fermentation using swine manure supplemented with glucose.
- To determine optimal conditions for maximizing hydrogen yield and productivity.
Main Methods:
- Semi-continuously-fed fermenter experiments were conducted at varying pH levels (4.7-5.9) and HRTs (12-24 hours).
- Controlled temperature (35°C) and substrate (swine manure with glucose) were used.
- Off-gas analysis monitored hydrogen and methane content.
Main Results:
- Both HRT and pH significantly influenced fermentative hydrogen productivity.
- The optimal HRT was determined to be 16 hours, and the optimal pH was 5.0.
- Methane inhibition of hydrogen production occurred when methane content exceeded 2%, showing an inverse linear relationship.
Conclusions:
- Biohydrogen production from swine manure is feasible and influenced by operational parameters.
- Optimal conditions (pH 5.0, HRT 16h) maximize hydrogen yield.
- Limiting methane production below 2% is essential for high hydrogen content in the off-gas.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:25Production of Organic Acids
Lactic acid, an important organic acid extensively applied in food, pharmaceutical, and biodegradable polymer industries, is primarily produced via microbial fermentation. This method is favored over chemical synthesis due to its environmental sustainability and capacity for enantiomerically pure product formation. Among various microbial processes, the fermentation of starch-based substrates stands out due to the abundance and renewability of raw materials like corn and potatoes.Hydrolysis of...
01:26Microbes and Methanogenesis
Methanogenesis is a critical microbial process in anaerobic ecosystems responsible for the biological production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas and valuable biofuel. This metabolic pathway is primarily facilitated by methanogenic archaea, which thrive in anoxic environments such as wetlands, sediments, and animal gastrointestinal tracts. The absence of oxygen in these habitats prevents aerobic respiration, thereby favoring alternative biochemical pathways for organic matter degradation.In...
01:30Environmental Applications of Microorganisms
Microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem balance by recycling essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as supporting processes like bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and biofuel production.Microbes in Elemental CyclesIn the carbon cycle, microorganisms decompose organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide via aerobic respiration. This carbon dioxide is subsequently used by photosynthetic organisms to synthesize organic compounds, closing the...
01:27Production of Alcohol
Continuous fermentation is a key strategy in industrial ethanol production, particularly when efficiency, scalability, and high yields are essential. This approach allows for uninterrupted operation and optimized resource utilization. The primary feedstock, corn starch, undergoes enzymatic hydrolysis facilitated by α-amylase and glucoamylase. These enzymes break down the starch into fermentable sugars such as glucose, which are readily assimilated by fermentative microorganisms.Fermentation...
01:27Microbes in the Production of Fermented Foods
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and molds are instrumental in fermenting plant-based foods to enhance preservation and ensure year-round availability. These microbial processes convert plant carbohydrates into organic acids and other metabolites that inhibit spoilage organisms and contribute to the sensory qualities of the final product.In sauerkraut production, cabbage goes through a microbial succession that starts with cocci such as Leuconostoc mesenteroides. These microbes begin fermentation by...
01:23Microbial Fuel Cells
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are bioelectrochemical devices that generate electricity by exploiting the metabolic processes of electrogenic bacteria. These systems provide a renewable energy source and serve as an innovative method for treating organic waste, such as wastewater.A typical MFC consists of two chambers: an anoxic (oxygen-free) compartment that houses the bacteria and an oxic (oxygen-rich) compartment that contains oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor. Many MFCs use proton...