Accession Number:

ADA556938

Title:

Biological Hydrogen Production: Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation with Nitrogen and Phosphorus Removal from Wastewater Effluent

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. May 2010-May 2011

Corporate Author:

ARMY ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND MD

Personal Author(s):

• Harvey, Steven P.
• Dixon, Melissa M.

Report Date:

2012-03-01

Pagination or Media Count:

23.0

Abstract:

A simple anaerobic biodegradation process using wastewater treatment plant WWTP effluent, shredded paper, and a purge of nitrogen gas was used to produce hydrogen and simultaneously capture nitrogen and phosphorus. Two reactor configurations were tested as simultaneous saccharification and fermentation reactors. Using the classic batch reactor provided greater stability of hydrogen production and simplicity of operation, whereas using the sequencing batch reactor provided better nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiencies. Evaluation of nuclear magnetic resonance analyses showed acetic acid to be the main product from both reactors. Experiments with an argon purge in place of nitrogen and with ammonium chloride spiking suggested that hydrogenase and nitrogenase enzymes contributed similarly to hydrogen production in the cultures. Analysis of a single fermentation showed that hydrogen production occurred relatively early in the course of total organic carbon removal, and that follow-on treatments might extract more energy from the products.

Descriptors:

• *BIODEGRADATION
• *HYDROGEN
• *NITROGEN
• *PHOSPHORUS
• *WASTE WATER
• ACETIC ACID
• AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS
• ANAEROBIC PROCESSES
• ARGON
• BATCH PROCESSING
• BIOLOGY
• CARBON
• CHLORIDES
• EFFICIENCY
• EFFLUENTS
• ENERGY
• ESTERS
• FERMENTATION
• GASES
• INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
• NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE
• OPERATION
• ORGANIC MATERIALS
• PRODUCTION
• REMOVAL
• STABILITY
• SYNCHRONISM
• WATER TREATMENT

Subject Categories:

• Biochemistry

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE