Biohydrogen production in a continuous liquid/gas hollow fiber membrane bioreactor: Efficient retention of hydrogen producing bacteria via granule and biofilm formation

Advancements in biohydrogen production - a comprehensive review of technologies, lifecycle analysis, and future scope

The global shift towards sustainable energy sources, necessitated by climate change concerns, has led to a critical review of biohydrogen production (BHP) processes and their potential as a solution to environmental challenges. This review evaluates the efficiency of various reactors used in BHP, focusing on operational parameters such as substrate type, pH, temperature, hydraulic retention time (HRT), and organic loading rate (OLR). The highest yield reported in batch, continuous, and membrane reactors was in the range of 29-40 L H2/L per day at an OLR of 22-120 g/L per day, HRT of 2-3 h and acidic range of 4-6, with the temperature maintained at 37 °C. The highest yield achieved was 208.3 L H2/L per day when sugar beet molasses was used as a substrate with Clostridium at an OLR of 850 g COD/L per day, pH of 4.4, and at 8 h HRT. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as artificial neural networks and support vector machines has emerged as a novel approach for optimizing reactor performance and predicting outcomes. These AI models help in identifying key operational parameters and their optimal ranges, thus enhancing the efficiency and reliability of BHP processes. The review also draws attention to the importance of life cycle and techno-economic analyses in assessing the environmental impact and economic viability of BHP, addressing potential challenges like high operating costs and energy demands during scale-up. Future research should focus on developing more efficient and cost-effective BHP systems, integrating advanced AI techniques for real-time optimization, and conducting comprehensive LCA and TEA to ensure sustainable and economically viable biohydrogen production. By addressing these areas, BHP can become a key component of the transition to sustainable energy sources, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the mitigation of environmental impacts associated with fossil fuel use.

Biofilms for Production of Chemicals and Energy

The twenty-first century will be the century of biology. This is not only because of breakthrough advances in molecular biology tools but also because we need to reinvent our economy based on the biological principles of energy efficiency and sustainability. Consequently, new tools for production routines must be developed to help produce platform chemicals and energy sources based on sustainable resources. In this context, biofilm-based processes have the potential to impact future production processes, because they can be carried out continuously and with robust stationary biocatalysts embedded in an extracellular matrix with different properties. We review productive biofilm systems used for heterotrophic and lithoautotrophic production and attempt to identify fundamental reasons why they may be particularly suitable as future production systems.

Evaluation of short-circuited electrodes in combination with dark fermentation for promoting biohydrogen production process

Short-circuited electrodes, in combination with dark fermentation, were evaluated in a biohydrogen production process. The system is based on an innovative design of a non-compartmented electromicrobial bioreactor with a conductive tubular membrane as cathode and a graphite felt as anode. In particular, the electrode specialization occurred when the bioreactor was inoculated with manure as the whole medium and when a vacuum was applied in the tubular membrane, for allowing continuous extraction of gaseous species (H2, CH4, CO2) from the bioreactor. This specialization of the electrodes as anode and cathode was further confirmed by microbial ecology analysis of biofilms and by cyclic voltammetry measurements. In these experimental conditions, the potential of the electrochemical system (short-circuited electrodes) reached values as low as -320 mV vs. SHE, associated with a significant bioH2 production. Moreover, a higher bioH2 production occurred and a potential of the electrochemical system as low as -429 mV vs SHE was temporarily observed, when additional heat treatments of the whole manure were applied in order to remove methanogen microorganisms (i.e., hydrogen consumers). In the bioreactor, the higher production of bioH2 would be promoted by electrofermentation from the current flow observed between short-circuited anode and cathode.

Photosynthesis driven continuous hydrogen production by diazotrophic cyanobacteria in high cell density capillary photobiofilm reactors

Hydrogen (H₂) is a promising fuel in the context of climate neutral energy carriers and photosynthesis-driven H₂-production is an interesting option relying mainly on sunlight and water as resources. However, this approach depends on suitable biocatalysts and innovative photobioreactor designs to maximize cell performance and H₂ titers. Cyanobacteria were used as biocatalysts in capillary biofilm photobioreactors (CBRs). We show that biofilm formation/stability depend on light and CO₂ availabilityH₂ production rates correlate with these parameters but differ between Anabaena and Nostoc. We demonstrate that high light and corresponding O₂ levels influence biofilm stability in CBR. By adjusting these parameters, biofilm formation/stability could be enhanced, and H₂ formation was stable for weeks. Final biocatalyst titers reached up to 100 g l^-1 for N. punctiforme atcc 29133 NHM5 and Anabaena sp. pcc 7120 AMC 414. H₂ production rates were up to 300 µmol H₂ l^-1h^-1 and 3 µmol H₂ g_cdw^-1h^-1 in biofilms.

Photobiological effects of converting biomass into hydrogen - Challenges and prospects

In comparison to other methods of producing hydrogen, the production of biohydrogen is significantly less harmful to the surrounding ecosystem when it was produced from the biological origin such as microalgae. It could take the place of conventional fossil fuels while avoiding the emission of greenhouse gases. The substrates such as food, agricultural waste, and industrial waste can be readily utilized after the necessary pretreatment, led to an increase in the yield of hydrogen. Improving the production of biofuels at each stage can have a significant impact on the final results, making this method a potentially useful instrument. As a consequence of this, numerous approaches to pretreat the algal biomass, numerous types of enzymes and catalyst that play a crucial role for hydrogen production, the variables that influence the production of hydrogen, and the potential applications of genetic engineering have all been comprehensively covered in this study.

Advances on Bacterial and Fungal Biofilms for the Production of Added-Value Compounds

Simple Summary

The production of bio-based materials, including organic acids, antibiotics, enzymes, ethanol, and hydrogen, is generally done by the cultivation of suspended cells rather than using immobilized cells. However, several studies suggest the application of productive biofilms as a reliable alternative for biocatalysis, with many advantages over suspended-growth systems. This review gives an overview of the breakthrough in the application of biofilm platforms for the sustainable production of valuable compounds, with particular insight into the latest advances in the production of recombinant proteins. Productive biofilms are shown to improve production rates and product yields, demonstrating great potential for industrial applications.

Abstract

In recent years, abundant research has been performed on biofilms for the production of compounds with biotechnological and industrial relevance. The use of biofilm platforms has been seen as a compelling approach to producing fine and bulk chemicals such as organic acids, alcohols, and solvents. However, the production of recombinant proteins using this system is still scarce. Biofilm reactors are known to have higher biomass density, operational stability, and potential for long-term operation than suspended cell reactors. In addition, there is an increasing demand to harness industrial and agricultural wastes and biorefinery residues to improve process sustainability and reduce production costs. The synthesis of recombinant proteins and other high-value compounds is mainly achieved using suspended cultures of bacteria, yeasts, and fungi. This review discusses the use of biofilm reactors for the production of recombinant proteins and other added-value compounds using bacteria and fungi.

A 3D-Printed Customizable Platform for Multiplex Dynamic Biofilm Studies

Biofilms are communities of microbes that colonize surfaces. While several biofilm experimental models exist, they often have limited replications of spatiotemporal dynamics surrounding biofilms. For a better understanding dynamic and complex biofilm development, this manuscript presents a customizable platform compatible with off-the-shelf well plates that can monitor microbial adhesion, growth, and associated parameters under various relevant scenarios by taking advantage of 3D printing. The system i) holds any substrate in a stable, vertical position, ii) subjects samples to flow at different angles, iii) switches between static and dynamic modes during an experiment, and iv) allows multiplexing and real-time monitoring of biofilm parameters. Simulated fluid dynamics is employed to estimate flow patterns around discs and shear stresses at disc surfaces. A 3D printed peristaltic pump and a customized pH measurement system for real-time tracking of spent biofilm culture media are equipped with a graphical user interface that grants control over all experimental parameters. The system is tested under static and dynamic conditions with Streptococcus mutans using different carbon sources. By monitoring the effluent pH and characterizing biochemical, microbiological, and morphological properties of cultured biofilms, distinct properties are demonstrated. This novel platform liberates designing experimental strategies for investigations of biofilms under various conditions.

Sustainable production of algae-bacteria granular consortia based biological hydrogen: New insights

Microbes recycling nutrient and detoxifying ecosystems are capable to fulfil the future energy need by producing biohydrogen by due to the coupling of autotrophic and heterotrophic microbes. In granules microbes mutualy exchanging nutrients and electrons for hydrogen production. The consortial biohydrogen production depend upon constituent microbes, their interdependence, competition for resources, and other operating parameters while remediating a waste material in nature or bioreactor. The present review deals with development of granular algae-bacteria consortia, hydrogen yield in coculture, important enzymes and possible engineering for improved hydrogen production.

Effect of genus Clostridium abundance on mixed-culture fermentation converting food waste into biohydrogen

This study examined the effect of various inocula on mixed-culture dark fermentative H₂ production from food waste. Heat-treated and frozen H₂-producing granular sludge (HPG) grown with monomeric sugars showed a higher H₂ yield, production rate, and acidogenic efficiency along with a shorter lag phase than heat-treated methanogenic sludge. Among three different methods of methanogenic sludge inoculation, inoculation after centrifugation showed better H₂ production performance. Propionic acid production and homoacetogenesis were regarded as major H₂-consuming pathways when methanogenic sludge was used, whereas only homoacetogenesis was found in HPG-inoculated fermentation. During fermentation, the abundance of Clostridium increased greater than 48-fold for methanogenic sludge and greater than 108-fold for HPG, respectively. The initial abundance of Clostridium showed a linear relationship with the H₂ production rate and lag-phase time. The use of inoculum with a high abundance of Clostridium is essential for H₂ production from food waste.

The Use of NaOH Solutions for Fouling Control in a Membrane Bioreactor: A Feasibility Study

Nowadays, the microbial production of 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PD) is recognized as preferable to the chemical synthesis. However, finding a technological approach allowing the production of 1,3-PD in the membrane bioreactor (MBR) is a great challenge. In the present study, a ceramic ultrafiltration (UF) membrane (8 kDa) for treatment of 1,3-PD broths was used. It has been demonstrated that the membrane used provides the stable permeate flux that is necessary to ensure the stability of the fermentation process in MBR technology. It was noticed that the broth pH has a significant impact on both the final 1,3-PD concentration and permeate flux. Moreover, the feasibility of using NaOH for fouling control in the MBR was evaluated. It has been shown that 1% NaOH solution is effective in restoring the initial membrane performance. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to shed light onto the possibility of reducing the amount of the alkaline solutions generated during the MBR operation. Indeed, it has been found that 1% NaOH solution can be successfully used several times for both membrane cleaning and to stabilize the broth pH. Finally, based on the results obtained, the technological conceptions of the MBR technology were designed.

Renewable hydrogen production from biomass and wastes (ReBioH2-2020)

Growing consumption of fossil reserves to meet the rising demand of energy has led to climate deterioration and simultaneous waste generation, urging modern society to find sustainable energy resource that can meet the growing energy demands and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprints. In this aspect, hydrogen (H₂) is one of the most promising sustainable clean fuels that has gained significant interest in recent years. This article highlights the major research progress on biohydrogen production from renewable bioresources such as organic wastes, lignocellulosic biomass, algal biomass, and industrial wastewaters. It summarizes the research highlights of manuscripts published in the special issue (VSI: ReBioH2-2020), which contains twenty-two articles, including seven critical reviews and fifteen research articles, focusing on biotechnological and thermochemical routes for biohydrogen production from renewable feedstocks. The major findings of the research works in this special issue can be used as a road-map for sustainable renewable hydrogen production from bioresources.