Lime mud from paper-making process addition to food waste synergistically enhances hydrogen fermentation performance

The effect of lime mud from paper-making process (LMP) addition on the H2 fermentation of food waste (FW) was investigated. It was found that a slight addition of LMP (1.0–4.0 g in 200 g FW) significantly enhanced the H2 fermentation performance, not only increasing the total amount of H2 produced but also accelerating the whole reaction, shortening the lag period, and increasing the H2 production rate. Fermentation stability and microbial germination were also facilitated by LMP addition. This was attributed to the existence of Ca, Fe, Mn and alkaline substances such as CaCO3 and NaOH. The batch process treating a mixture of FW and LMP was showed that the highest hydrogen production of 137.6 mL H2/g VS was achieved at final pH 5.0, adding 3 g LMP (in 200 g FW) to the fermentation process, which lag-phase time was about 2.5 h.

► Lime mud addition to food waste synergistically enhanced the H2 fermentation.
► Not only the amount of H2 produced increased but also the reaction was accelerated.
► This was attributed to Ca, Fe, and Mg at high content in lime mud.