Technology
What is it?
Dark fermentation and photofermentation processes occur sequentially in a series of reactors.
Why is it important?
Hybrid fermentation allows extraction of additional hydrogen from the effluents of the typical dark fermentation process.
Characteristics
- Inputs: Organic matter (biomass), water, light for photo-fermentation step
- By-products: Carbon dioxide
- Operating temperature: Ambient
Benefits
- Maximises hydrogen yield from source material
- Makes use of untreated dark-fermentation effluents (which would otherwise require further handling or present an environmental hazard)
- Biocatalysts are inexpensive and biodegradable
- Could use organic waste as substrate
Limitations
- Large surface area required for photo-fermentation
- Operation variability depending on solar irradiation supply for the photofermentation step
RD&D priorities
- Improve substrate conversion efficiency
- Improve reactor design
Known active organisations
- No institutions found in study