Optimization of biohydrogen production by Clostridium butyricum EB6 from palm oil mill effluent using response surface methodology

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2009-09, Vol.34 (17), p.7475-7482
• Main Authors: Chong, Mei-Ling, Abdul Rahman, Nor' Aini, Rahim, Raha Abdul, Aziz, Suraini Abdul, Shirai, Yoshihito, Hassan, Mohd Ali
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biohydrogen; Clostridium butyricum; Clostridium butyricum EB6; Crack opening displacement; Effluents; Hydrogen production; Optimization; Palm oil; POME; Response surface methodology
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2009.05.088

Clostridium butyricum EB6 successfully produced hydrogen gas from palm oil mill effluent (POME). In this study, central composite design and response surface methodology were applied to determine the optimum conditions for hydrogen production ( P c) and maximum hydrogen production rate ( R max) from POME. Experimental results showed that the pH, temperature and chemical oxygen demand (COD) of POME affected both the hydrogen production and production rate, both individually and interactively. The optimum conditions for hydrogen production ( P c) were pH 5.69, 36 °C, and 92 g COD/l; with an estimated P c value of 306 ml H 2/g carbohydrate. The optimum conditions for maximum hydrogen production rate ( R max) were pH 6.52, 41 °C and 60 g COD/l; with an estimated R max value of 914 ml H 2/h. An overlay study was performed to obtain an overall model optimization. The optimized conditions for the overall model were pH 6.05, 36 °C and 94 g COD/l. The hydrogen content in the biogas produced ranged from 60% to 75%.