Effects of Inorganic Ions and Glucose on Hydrogen Production by Indigenous Microbes in Sewage Sludge
Jaruwan Wongtanet a* and Benjaphorn Prapagdee a
a Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhonpathom 73170, Thailand
Received: 10 April 2008; Accepted: 21 May 2008
Abstract
The effects of inorganic ions (Cl-, K+, Na+ and Mg2+) and glucose concentrations on hydrogen production using sewage sludge microbes were studied. The experiments were investigated in the batch experiment by the heat mixed microorganisms at pH 5.5 and 35 °C. Cumulative hydrogen production increased with time for each ion and concentration to a maximum after 5-6 days. Hydrogen production decreased directly with inorganic ion concentrations. Generally, cumulative hydrogen production for a given time was highest in the absence of each ion except for Na+. Glucose concentration has affected on hydrogen and volatile fatty acid (VFA) production. The optimal loading concentration of glucose is about 20 g/l for maximum hydrogen production.
Keywords: batch experiment; hydrogen production; ionic concentration; organic loading
* corresponding author : enjwt@mahidol.ac.th