Biohydrogen Production under Thermophilic Condition from Ozonated Palm Oil Mill Effluent

Abstract

Palm oil mill effluent (POME) contains high organic compounds and nutrients suitable for microorganisms in anaerobic processes. The biological hydrogen production using raw POME and ozonated POME in thermophilic batch fermentation at varying POME concentration in the range of 5,000 to 35,000 mg COD L-1 was examined. Hydrogen production using the ozonated POME achieved the maximum yield of 77.1 mL g-1COD at 35,000 mg COD L-1, which higher than that from the raw POME by 20%. Meanwhile the hydrogen production rate of 10.8 mL h-1 was observed at the ozonated POME concentration of 25,000 mg COD L-1. Greater COD removal in the ozonated POME by 25% compared to that in the raw POME. The main acetic and butyric acids were accumulated in the raw POME fermentation which is lower than the ozonated POME fermentation. This work demonstrated ozonation of POME significant improved performance of the thermophilic biohydrogen production.