Research on optimization of the parameters for continuous anaerobic hydrogen production

Orthogonal array tests were carried out to investigate the optimal temperature(T), hydraulic retention time (HRT), pH and C/N ratio of anaerobic fermentative hydrogen production using a 20 L continuous stirred-tank reactor (CSTR). The results showed that hydrogen production rate, hydrogen content, glucose utilization ratio and hydrogen yield reached the maximum of 6.00 L/h, 55.0%, 99.0%, 157.86 mL/g in appropriate conditions, respectively. The optimal pH, T, HRT and C/N ratio were 5.0, 33.5-36.5 °C, 8.34 h, 112/1.55, respectively. A confirmation experiment was carried out to verify the optimal parameters obtained by orthogonal array tests. Hydrogen production rate, hydrogen content, glucose utilization ratio and potential hydrogen yield reached the maximum of 5.66 L/h, 54.0%, 0.97, 191.18 mL/g, respectively. The results of the confirmation experiment showed that hydrogen production with the optimal parameters was more efficient than that in the orthogonal array tests, and that suggested the orthogonal array tests were successful.