Addition of Activated Carbon as Supported Material for Hydrotalcite to Promote Fermentative Hydrogen Production

Abstract

Commercial activated carbon (CAC) supported hydrotalcite (Fe-Ni-HT/CAC) and CAC were applied to improve biohydrogen production in dark fermentation process using sucrose as a carbon source under mesophilic condition at 37°C. This resulted in an increase of biohydrogen production of nearly 20% with the highest hydrogen yield of 2.71 mol H2/mol sucrose added. This was due to an alkaline nature of Fe-Ni-HT to stabilize pH during fermentation. Moreover, it also minimized volatile fatty acids (VFAs) especially butyric and lactic acids which could inhibit fermentation process. The characteristics of Fe-Ni-HT/CAC and CAC were examined for surface area, morphology, structure and functional groups to support the proper understanding of the roles of Fe-NiHT/CAC in fermentation.