Continuous biohydrogen and volatile fatty acids production from cheese whey in a tubular biofilm reactor: Substrate flow rate variations and microbial dynamics
Omprakash Sarkar, Ulrika Rova, Paul Christakopoulos, Λεωνίδας Μάτσακας
Abstract
The present study demonstrates the influence of substrate flow rate on continuous biohydrogen and volatile fatty acids production from acidogenic fermentation of cheese whey in a tubular biofilm reactor. Three tubular bioreactors with a varied substrate flow rate of (2 mL/min, 5 mL/min, and 8 mL/min) were examined for 75 days. At 8 mL/min flow rate, the biohydrogen evolution was higher (3.88 mL H2/h), while its conversion efficiency was lower compared to 5 and 2 mL/min flow rate. The formation of volatile fatty acids and ammonium was also influenced by substrate flow rates. The volatile fatty acids production was slightly higher at 2 mL/min (12.74 ± 2.42 gCOD/L) and 5 mL/min (18.09 ± 2.01 gCOD/L) while, decreasing at 8 mL/min (11.85 ± 0.78 gCOD/L). Substrate flow rate significantly affected the pattern and composition of volatile fatty acids showing higher acetic acid, butyric and propionic acid production of 4.72 ± 1.46 gCOD/L (2 mL/min) 10.41 ± 0.91 gCOD/L (5 mL/min) and 1.78 ± 0.13 gCOD/L (5 mL/min). Continuous substrate input maintained the pH in the reactor due to replacement with fresh substrate, thereby controlling feedback inhibition and boosting metabolite production. Hydrogen-producing Firmicutes on the biofilm confirmed the pivotal role of the microbial community's significant contribution to converting waste to bioenergy. Overall, the present results support the use of a continuous operation mode for large-scale biohydrogen production. However, to ensure the efficacy of the system using waste or wastewater, low substrate flow rates are recommended.