Abstract
Hydrogen has been considered a potential fuel for the future since it is carbon-free and oxidized to water as a combustion product. Bioconversion of synthesis gas to hydrogen was demonstrated in a continuous fermentation utilizing malate as a carbon source.Rhodospirillum rubrum, an anaerobic photosynthetic bacterium catalyzed water gas shift reaction which was used in this research. The synthesis gas (CO) was used as a source of energy along with tungsten light supplied for growth and bioconversion of the photosynthetic bacteria. The microbial process in fermentation media was carried out in continuous culture to observe the effect of light intensity, agitation and liquid dilution rate on hydrogen production. The maximum hydrogen yield at 500 rpm was 0.65 mmol H2/mmol CO. Desired media flow rate was preferable for high hydrogen production. At 0.65 ml/min media, hydrogen was produced at 7.2 mmol/h. This new approach, use of biocatalyst, can be considered as an alternative method to the conventional Fischer Tropsch synthetic reactions, which were able to convert synthesis gas into hydrogen. Key words: Hydrogen, syngas, continuous bioreactor, Rhodospirillum rubrum, light intensity, agitation rate and flow rate.
Highlights
Pollution of the air resulting from the consumption of fossil fuels has been so widely discussed and it is important to note that as fossil fuels become depleted, their costs will certainly escalate
Hydrogen is a carbon-free fuel, which oxidizes to water as a combustion product
Pure culture of R. rubrum was obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801, University Boulevard, Manassas, Virginia, 20110-2209 USA
Summary
Pollution of the air resulting from the consumption of fossil fuels has been so widely discussed and it is important to note that as fossil fuels become depleted, their costs will certainly escalate. The experiments were carried out in a 2 liter fermenter, Biostat A, B Braun under anaerobic condition with continuous supply of synthesis gas (55% CO, 20% H2, 15% Ar and 10% CO2) provided by Sitt Tatt (Penang, Malaysia) and concentrated liquid media. Several runs of experiments were conducted to observe the effect of agitation and flow rate on hydrogen production and cell growth.
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