QLK5-1999-01267 BIOHYDROGEN: A novel bioprocess for hydrogen production from biomass for fuel

Contacts
Website: www.biohydrogen.nl/biohydrogen
Summary Information



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Contract No:	QLK5-1999-01267
Source:	Progress Report - January 2002 - Abstract

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Progress Report - January 2002 - Abstract

Objectives

The main objective of this proposal is the development of a system for the production of hydrogen from renewable resources that meets the specifications for application in fuel cells. In this way the advantages of fuel cells, i.e. higher energy conversion and zero emission will become exploitable without the traditional carbon dioxide emission associated with the utilisation of fossil fuels. This goal will be achieved through

• integration of the work on processing of biomass from energy crops and waste streams
• the development of a microbial hydrogen producing 'factory' and the recovery and application of the product
• the pan-European involvement of scientists and industrialists that will support the objective of the spreading of knowledge of the potential, and
• assist in the introduction of biological hydrogen production across Europe.

The first year's scientific and technical objectives are:

• the production, characterisation and pre-treatment of the biomass
• the study of the (hyper) thermophilic and phototrophic fermentation
• understanding of organisms producing hydrogen, and
• the start of the operational unit design for hydrogen recovery and purification.

A further objective for the first year is to set up a web-based system for communication and dissemination of results.

Results and Milestones

The production of fermentable feedstock from sweet sorghum was optimised. Several samples with varying concentrations of sugars were investigated in terms of fermentability. In addition further studies were carried out using the fibrous residue in order to establish suitability for other non-food purposes. This residue was found suitable for biofuel production, for paper pulp production or as a filler in composite materials. In addition the suitability of an industrial waste stream (paper sludge), was also tested for hydrogen production. Various paper sludges were also screened.

So far, the results of the studies on for hydrogen production with one selected paper sludge stream and the sweet sorghum juice have been positive. Further work is being carried out in order to optimise production towards the theoretical hydrogen yield.

This optimisation will proceed hand in hand with investigations on the physiology of these micro-organisms. Two different thermophilic microorganisms were selected and studied with respect to hydrogen production from artificial media to get a better understanding of their physiology. Important findings relate to dependency on nutrients, product inhibition and substrate preferences. The knowledge gained will be used in the development of a pilot plant that will be used for further process optimisation.

In the second stage of fermentative hydrogen production, the photobiological conversion of the compounds in the thermoreactor effluent, progress has been made toward achieving the maximum theoretical efficiency, even though this has not yet been achieved.

An important finding from this research is that, in addition to hydrogen and carbon dioxide, another as yet unidentified, compound is formed. Since this compound is a reduced organic compound, its formation will decrease the yield of hydrogen in the photobioreactor so that the final production level will be lower than the 12 moles of hydrogen per mole of glucose assumed. Further experiments are planned in order to identify this compound.

Techniques of molecular genetics have been used to address the significance of the various hydrogenases that may potentially be involved in hydrogen production. The tools for transformation of micro-organisms for elevated hydrogen production have now been developed.

Finally, progress has been made in the design of a complete system in which hydrogen is efficiently removed, collected and purified. Further trials will carried out during the next reporting period.

Benefits and Beneficiaries

The most important benefit of this project, in the long run, is the pan-European collaboration of universities, research institutes and commercial industry in a project aimed at C0₂ abatement. This will lead to an increasing knowledge and awareness of potential measures to achieve a cleaner environment. A more direct benefit is the increased outlet for energy crops. Instead of being dependent on only one outlet, e.g. for ethanol production, a new market for energy crops will be established.

Future Actions

Future actions will be as described in the contract in order to further realise biohydrogen production from biomass. These include optimisation of the pre-treatment of the energy crop and waste streams for generating fermentable substrates. Fermentation conditions, especially in the area of mixed substrate utilisation, product inhibition and light-energy conversion will be modified for increased productivity. The investigation of strain improvement will be continued, as will the work on hydrogen recovery and purification.