Bio-hydrogen production from organic wastes in a pilot plant reactor and its use in a SOFC

The aim of this study is to investigate dark anaerobic fermentation in a pilot scale reactor (V = 35 l) under batch conditions for the production of bio-H2 as a clean and sustainable vector of energy. The inoculum of the reactor was an anaerobic wastewater sludge, previously treated with HCl 1N for 24 h at pH 3 in order to inhibit the methanogenic bioactivity. The sludge was inoculated in the reactor and fed with a solution containing organic wastes (fruit and vegetables unsold stock) at an initial sugar concentration of 53 g/l. The experiments were conducted at room temperature (24 °C) under anaerobic conditions; temperature, pH and ORP were monitored online.The process led to a total gas production of 240 l containing H2 (49%) and CO2 (51%), whereas no CH4 was detected in the gas.An experiment, where the bio-hydrogen produced has been used as a fuel for an anode-supported SOFC, is presented.