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Co-Fermentation of Cheese Whey and Crude Glycerol in EGSB Reactor as a Strategy to Enhance Continuous Hydrogen and Propionic Acid Production

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Abstract

This study evaluated the production of hydrogen and propionic acid in an expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactor by co-fermentation of cheese whey (CW) and crude glycerol (CG). The reactor was operated at hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 8 h by changing the CW/CG ratio from 5:1 to 5:2, 5:3, 5:4, and 5:5. At the ratio of 5:5, HRT was reduced from 8 to 0.5 h. The maximum hydrogen yield of 0.120 mmol H2 g COD−1 was observed at the CW/CG ratio of 5:1. Increasing the CG concentration repressed hydrogen production in favor of propionic acid, with a maximum yield of 6.19 mmol HPr g COD−1 at the CW/CG ratio of 5:3. Moreover, by reducing HRT of 8 to 0.5 h, the hydrogen production rate was increased to a maximum value of 42.5 mL H2 h−1 L−1at HRT of 0.5 h. The major metabolites were propionate, 1,3-propanediol, acetate, butyrate, and lactate.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), and São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP).

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  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luis, km 235, CEP, São Carlos, SP, 13565-905, Brazil

    Helberth Júnnior Santos Lopes, Lucas Rodrigues Ramos & Edson Luiz Silva

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Lopes, H.J.S., Ramos, L.R. & Silva, E.L. Co-Fermentation of Cheese Whey and Crude Glycerol in EGSB Reactor as a Strategy to Enhance Continuous Hydrogen and Propionic Acid Production. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 183, 712–728 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-017-2459-7

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