Biohydrogen Production via Simultaneous Enzymatic Hydrolysis and Photo-fermentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The pH value in photo-fermentation biohydrogen production processes decreases rapidly, harming bacterial growth and resulting in low hydrogen yield due to the separation of enzymatic hydrolysis and hydrogen production, which are time-consuming and energy-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a hydrogen production medium with a Na2HPO4/NaH2PO4 buffer solution at pH 5-9, corn stalk powder, cellulase, and photosynthesis bacteria HAU-M1, allowing simultaneous enzymatic hydrolysis and hydrogen production under anaerobic conditions, optimizing pH for enhanced biohydrogen yield.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If enzymatic hydrolysis and hydrogen production are performed separately, then substrate conversion rate is improved, but process time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines enzymatic hydrolysis and photo-fermentation hydrogen production into a single integrated process. Corn stalk powder is directly added to the photo-fermentation medium, allowing simultaneous hydrolysis of cellulose and production of hydrogen, eliminating the need for separate enzymatic hydrolysis step and reducing overall process time while maintaining high substrate conversion rate
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary preparation of corn stalk powder with controlled moisture content (10-20%) before adding it to the photo-fermentation medium. This preliminary processing ensures optimal substrate availability and prevents excessive water dilution, enabling efficient simultaneous hydrolysis and hydrogen production without requiring separate processing steps
2Device complexity
If pH is not buffered, then process simplicity is maintained, but bacterial growth is destroyed and hydrogen yield decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a phosphate buffer system (Na2HPO4/NaH2PO4) to maintain pH within the optimal range of 6.5-7.5 for photo-fermentation. This parameter control ensures stable bacterial growth and high hydrogen yield while adding minimal complexity to the process through simple buffer addition
Solution Approach 2:
The phosphate buffer acts as an intermediary substance that absorbs excess acid produced during fermentation, preventing pH drop below 6.5. This intermediary mechanism protects bacterial growth and maintains hydrogen production efficiency without requiring complex pH control systems
3Stability of the object's composition
If buffer capacity is increased, then pH stability is improved, but energy consumption and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the buffer concentration and pH range (6.5-7.5) to achieve sufficient pH stability with minimal buffer addition. This parameter optimization provides adequate buffering capacity to maintain pH while avoiding excessive energy consumption and process complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach increases hydrogen yield and energy conversion efficiency, maintaining a stable pH environment for bacterial activity, resulting in higher hydrogen production and reduced process time.
Implementation Method 1
mixing a hydrogen production medium and a buffer solution of Na2HPO4/NaH2PO4 having a pH value of 5-9
Implementation Method 2
adding corn stalk powder and cellulase to the first mixture and mixing
Implementation Method 3
the cellulase is a liquid enzyme preparation; the cellulase has a volume of 4-6 mL and exhibits enzyme activity of 51 FPU/mL
Implementation Method 4
adding a suspension of photosynthesis bacteria HAU-M1 at the late exponential phase to the second mixture, to yield a third mixture; and sealing the third mixture and allowing for photo-fermentation biohydrogen production under anaerobic fermentation conditions
Implementation Method 5
photo-fermentation biohydrogen production under anaerobic fermentation conditions
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a method for biohydrogen production. The method includes: mixing a hydrogen production medium and a buffer solution Na2HPO4/NaH2PO4 having a pH value of 5-9, to yield a first mixture; adding corn stalk powder and cellulase to the first mixture and mixing, to yield a second mixture; adding a suspension of photosynthesis bacteria HAU-M1 at the late exponential phase to the second mixture, to yield a third mixture; and sealing the third mixture and allowing for photo-fermentation biohydrogen production under anaerobic fermentation conditions.