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Biohydrogen Production from Industrial Waste: The Role of Pretreatment Methods

Author

Listed:
  • Weronika Cieciura-Włoch

    (Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Science, Lodz University of Technology, Wolczańska 171/173, 90-530 Lodz, Poland)

  • Wiktoria Hajduk

    (International Faculty of Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, Żwirki 36, 90-539 Lodz, Poland)

  • Marta Ikert

    (International Faculty of Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, Żwirki 36, 90-539 Lodz, Poland)

  • Tobiasz Konopski

    (International Faculty of Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, Żwirki 36, 90-539 Lodz, Poland)

  • Min Hein Khant

    (School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Andrea D’Accorso, 62032 Camerino, MC, Italy)

  • Jarosław Domański

    (Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Science, Lodz University of Technology, Wolczańska 171/173, 90-530 Lodz, Poland)

  • Bolin Zhang

    (Beijing Key Laboratory of Forest Food Processing and Safety, College of Biological Science & Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Dorota Kręgiel

    (Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Science, Lodz University of Technology, Wolczańska 171/173, 90-530 Lodz, Poland)

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of dark fermentation in biohydrogen production from agro-industrial wastes, including apple pomace, brewer’s grains, molasses, and potato powder, subjected to different pretreatment methods. The experiments were conducted at a laboratory scale, using 1000 cm 3 anaerobic reactors at a temperature of 35 °C and anaerobic sludge as the inoculum. The highest yield of hydrogen was obtained from pre-treated apple pomace (101 cm 3 /g VS). Molasses, a less complex substrate compared to the other raw materials, produced 25% more hydrogen yield following pretreatment. Methanogens are sensitive to high temperatures and low-pH conditions. Nevertheless, methane constituted 1–6% of the total biogas under these conditions. The key factor was appropriate treatment of the inoculum, to limit competition from methanogens. Increasing the inoculum dose from 150 cm 3 /dm 3 to 250 cm 3 /dm 3 had no further effect on biogas production. The physicochemical parameters and VFA data confirmed the stability and usefulness of activated sludge as a source of microbial cultures for H 2 production via dark fermentation.

Suggested Citation

  • Weronika Cieciura-Włoch & Wiktoria Hajduk & Marta Ikert & Tobiasz Konopski & Min Hein Khant & Jarosław Domański & Bolin Zhang & Dorota Kręgiel, 2025. "Biohydrogen Production from Industrial Waste: The Role of Pretreatment Methods," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-22, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:20:p:5497-:d:1774303
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Weronika Cieciura-Włoch & Michał Binczarski & Jolanta Tomaszewska & Sebastian Borowski & Jarosław Domański & Piotr Dziugan & Izabela Witońska, 2019. "The Use of Acidic Hydrolysates after Furfural Production from Sugar Waste Biomass as a Fermentation Medium in the Biotechnological Production of Hydrogen," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-17, August.
    2. Cieciura-Włoch, Weronika & Borowski, Sebastian & Otlewska, Anna, 2020. "Biohydrogen production from fruit and vegetable waste, sugar beet pulp and corn silage via dark fermentation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 1226-1237.
    3. Ghimire, Anish & Frunzo, Luigi & Pirozzi, Francesco & Trably, Eric & Escudie, Renaud & Lens, Piet N.L. & Esposito, Giovanni, 2015. "A review on dark fermentative biohydrogen production from organic biomass: Process parameters and use of by-products," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 73-95.
    4. Nikki Sjulander & Timo Kikas, 2020. "Origin, Impact and Control of Lignocellulosic Inhibitors in Bioethanol Production—A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-20, September.
    5. Anam Jalil & Zhisheng Yu, 2024. "Impact of Substrates, Volatile Fatty Acids, and Microbial Communities on Biohydrogen Production: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-23, December.
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