Producción de biohidrógeno a partir de lodos residuales irradiados mediante un proceso integrado de fermentación oscura y electrólisis microbiana

Abstract

This study aimed to produce biohydrogen from residual sludge irradiated with a dose of 350 Gy by applying an integrated process of dark fermentation and microbial electrolysis based on the maximum and half growth time of microorganisms, thus achieving the reduction of waste pollution generated by mining activity and at the same time generating an ideal gas for energy production. The samples were collected from a point in the Chico river near a mining area in Azuay, later a physical analysis was carried out in situ and ex-situ, chemical, and microbiological (Enterobacter and E. coli) of the samples before and after dark fermentation (DF) and microbial electrolysis (ME) following the protocols established by the regulations; then, carbon fiber and stainless steel electrodes and 4 dark fermentation reactors connected to calibrated electronic sensors MQ-4 (methane), MQ-8 (hydrogen) and DHT11 (temperature and humidity) will be treated. Long (21 days) and short (10 and 11 days) experimentation times were applied for DF and ME based on the growth time of the microorganisms and the data generated were read by an Arduino 1 board. It was concluded that the longer the time affected (growth of microorganisms) in the integrated DF and ME process, the higher the production of biohydrogen obtaining a maximum volume and average concentration of Hydrogen of 676 mL and 104.74 ppm, respectively; while the methane concentration was minimal. Therefore, it is recommended to make inoculations in the used destination of selective hydrogen-producing microorganisms such as the Enterobacter o Clostridium to have a thorough control of their growth and verify their behavior in the production of biohydrogen.