Evaluation of semi-continuous hydrogen production from enzymatic hydrolysates of Agave tequilana bagasse: Insight into the enzymatic cocktail effect over the co-production of methane

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2018-08, Vol.43 (31), p.14193-14201
• Main Authors: Toledo-Cervantes, Alma, Arreola-Vargas, Jorge, Elias-Palacios, Silvia V., Marino-Marmolejo, Erika N., Davila-Vazquez, Gustavo, González-Álvarez, Víctor, Méndez-Acosta, Hugo O.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anaerobic digestion; ASBR; Biohydrogen; Granular biomass disaggregation; Lignocellulosic biomass
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.05.134

This work addresses the hydrogen production from enzymatic hydrolysates of Agave tequilana bagasse and the valorization of the acidogenic effluent for methane production in anaerobic sequencing batch reactors (ASBRs). Regarding hydrogen production, the ASBR was operated at four organic loading rates (OLRs), which were modified by decreasing the cycle time (from 24 to 12 h) and increasing the COD concentration (from 8 to 12 and 16 g L−1). Results showed that the highest OLR promoted the highest hydrogen production rate of 25.2 ± 2.1 NmL L−1 h−1. Conversely, the hydrogen molar yield remained constant, obtaining similar values to the highest reported for lignocellulosic hydrolysates in continuous reactors (1.6H2-mol molconsumed sugar−1). Regarding methane production from the acidogenic effluent, an unexpected methane suppression was observed during the first 5 cycles of the ASBR operation. Such event was attributed to the disaggregation of the granular sludge due to the remaining hydrolytic activity of the enzymatic cocktail used for the hydrolysates production. This was corroborated by feeding acetate to an ASBR (positive control) and supplying the enzymatic cocktail. Overall, even though the ASBR configuration demonstrated its suitability for hydrogen production, further studies are needed to coupling the methanogenic phase in different reactor configurations. •H2 was produced in an ASBR by using enzymatic hydrolysates of A. tequilana bagasse.•OLR was increased by decreasing the HRT and increasing the hydrolysate concentration.•H2 molar yields were similar to the highest reported in continuous reactors.•CH4 production was evaluated in an ASBR by using the acidogenic effluent.•Remaining enzymatic activity in this effluent induced granule disaggregation.