Production of hydrogen from marine macro-algae biomass using anaerobic sewage sludge microflora

Hydrogen was produced from various marine macro-algae (seaweeds) through anaerobic fermentation using an undefined bacterial consortium. In this study, anaerobic fermentation from various marine macro-algae for Ulva lactuca, Porphyra tenera, Undaria pinnatifida, and Laminaria japonica was studied. From this analysis Laminaria japorica was determined to be the optimum substrate for hydrogen production. When L. japornica was used as the carbon source for enhanced hydrogen production, the optimum fermentation temperature, substrate concentration, initial pH, and pretreatment condition were determined to be 35°C, 5%, 7.5, and BT120 (Ball mill and thermal treatments at 120°C for 30 min), respectively. In addition, hydrogen production was improved when the sludge was heat-treated at 65°C for 20 min. Under these conditions, about 4,164 mL of hydrogen was produced from 50 g/L of dry algae (L. japonica) for 50 h, with a hydrogen concentration around 34.4%. And the maximum hydrogen production rate and yield were found to be 70 mL/L·h and 28 mL/g dry algae, respectively.