An experimental approach to produce hydrogen from food waste, cow dung, and sludge solution

Abstract

Abstract The effect of substrate (food waste and cow dung) and inoculum (sludge solution) ratio on the hydrogen fermentation is experimentally investigated in this study. Five reactors are prepared using various ratios of substrate and inoculum on volume basis and the hydrogen (H2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) generation is observed for 15 days. Result revealed that variation in the ratio cause substantial effect on the fermentation process. The reactor with substrate to inoculum ratio of 1:3 showed maximum hydrogen concentration (19.73%) in the produced biogas. The cumulative hydrogen yield is increased with the ratio and the highest value (114.4 mL/g total solid) is obtained with the ratio 1:3. The carbon dioxide concentration showed the least value in 1:3 ratio indicating the maximum conversion of the feedstock to hydrogen compared to the other samples. The result suggested that proper substrate to inoculum ratio is the deciding factor to improve the fermentation process. A ratio of food waste and cow dung with sludge solution (1:3) appeared the best combination for enhanced co-digestion process.