EUBCE 2024 - Richard PUMMER - Implementation of Dark Fermentation for Biohydrogen Production in Industrial Wastewater Treatment: Enhancing Energy Yield

Implementation of Dark Fermentation for Biohydrogen Production in Industrial Wastewater Treatment: Enhancing Energy Yield

Short Introductive summary

Due to present energy crisis, hydrogen (H2) as energy source gained a lot of attention in recent years. Besides that, H2 is also necessary in the chemical industry leading to an annual demand of 117 million tons in 2019. Current H2-production relies on diminishing fossil resources and is therefore associated with greenhouse gas emission. In contrast, microorganisms are capable of producing H2 from organic matter during dark fermentation, where fatty acid as main-products are formed. In this study, dark fermentation experiments were conducted using both synthetic and wastewater media. The conducted trials are serving for as a foundation for scale-up to a 13 L pilot reactor forming the first part of a two-stage system. The addition of hydrogen to an industrial gas turbine can lead to improved energy yields. These findings present a favorable prospect for a transition towards a two-stage reactor system and therefore the implementation in an industrial setting.

R. Pummer, BEST-Bioenergy and Sustainable Technologies, Graz, AUSTRIA
M. Neubauer, BEST-Bioenergy and Sustainable Technologies, Graz, AUSTRIA
W. Neuhauser, AGRANA Stärke, Aschach, AUSTRIA
A. Kogler, AGRANA Research & Innovation Center, Tulln, AUSTRIA
L. Priemetzhofer, AGRANA Research & Innovation Center, Tulln, AUSTRIA
M. Omann, AGRANA Research & Innovation Center, Tulln, AUSTRIA
F. Emerstorfer, AGRANA Research & Innovation Center, Tulln, AUSTRIA
L. Bauer, BEST-Bioenergy and Sustainable Technologies, Graz, AUSTRIA
B. Drosg, BEST-Bioenergy and Sustainable Technologies, Graz, AUSTRIA