Methodology to determine the specific hydrogenic activity (SHA) of waste sludges

Production of hydrogen is influenced by the pH, the concentration of organic matter, and the concentration of sludge. A short-term test is presented in which the specific hydrogenic activity of a waste sludge is calculated in order to quantify its hydrogen production capacity. To determine the ideal conditions for the measurement of SHA was used glucose in concentrations of 1000; 2000; 4000; 8000; 12,000; 16,000; and 20,000 mg O2 L−1; sludge in concentrations of 1250; 2500; 5000; and 7500 mg TVS L−1; and pH adjustments of 5.0; 5.5; 6.0; and 6.5. Given the initial concentration of soluble COD of 12,000 mg O2 L−1, sludge concentration of 2500 mg TVS L−1, and pH of 6.0, the highest SHA obtained was 483 mLH2 g TVS−1 h−1. As to volumetric measurements, given the initial concentration of organic matter of 8000 mg L−1, biomass concentration of 5.000 mg TVS L−1, and pH of 5.5, the volume of produced hydrogen per mass of soluble COD added reached a maximum of 38 mL gCOD−1.