Simultaneous optimization of the hydrogen production rate and substrate conversion efficiency using a response surface methodology

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the use of the E. coli ATCC8739 strain for bio-hydrogen production in the dark-fermentation process, and the optimization of the bioprocess using a Box-Behnken design (BBD) and response surface methodology (RSM). The effects of substrate concentration (S), pH, and temperature (T) on the biohydrogen production rate (R_H2) and substrate conversion efficiency (SCE) were evaluated. The highest R_H2 of 55.32 ± 5 ml/l/h was achieved at initial pH (6.58), S (21.08 g/l), and T (36.6°C), with SCE at 90%. Maximum SCE (100%) was obtained at S (11 g/l), pH (7), and T (33°C), while R_H2 was around 47 ml/l/h. Simultaneous optimization of SCE and R_H2 was obtained at S (15.2 g/l), pH (6.9), and T (33.5°C), with SCE at 100% and R_H2 of 52.64 ± 5 ml/l/h. The interactive effects of S, pH, and T on R_H2 and SCE were also analyzed. The predicted models of the R_H2 and SCE were in good agreement with the experimental data with an absolute error of 3% and 1%, respectively.

Graphical abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Modeling
• optimization
• biohydrogen production rate
• substrate conversion efficiency
• Escherichia coli

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Dahbia Akroum-Amrouche

Dahbia Akroum-Amrouche is an associate professor in the Faculty of Technology at M’Hamed Bougara University, Boumerdes, Algeria. AKROUM-AMROUCHE Dahbia received her Biology Engineering degree from the Haouari Boumedienne University of Science and Technology. She received her Magister degree in Environmental Engineering option biotechnology and Doctorate-Sciences degree in Environmental Engineering both from the National Polytechnic School of Algiers. She is a research group member at Bioinformatics and Applied Microbiology and Biomolecules Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, M’Hamed Bougara University, Algeria. Her research interest includes the biological and environmental sciences, biorenewable resources, bioenergy production and modeling of bioprocesses.

Hamza Akroum

Hamza Akroum is an associate professor in the Faculty of Technology at M’Hamed Bougara University, Boumerdes, Algeria. Hamza AKROUM received his Engineering and his Magister degree in electonics engineering both from the National Polytechnic School of Algiers. He received his Doctorate-Sciences degree in automatic from Hydrocarbons and Chemistry Faculty at Boumerdes University, Algeria. He has been working at the Algerian nuclear research center of Birine in instrumentation department (CRNB/DEDIN). He is a research group member at Applied Automatic Control Laboratory, Faculty of Hydrocarbons and Chemistry, and Systems Engineering and Telecommunications Laboratory, Faculty of Technology Boumerdes University, Algeria. His research interest includes artificial intelligence of things, Fractional-order control, optimization applied to control drives, modeling and control of dynamic non linear systems, power converters, sensorless control of AC drives and Renewable energy.

Hakim Lounici

Professor Hakim Lounici currently works at the Department of Process and Environmental Engineering at Bouira University and researcher at National Polytechnic School of Algiers. Hakim LOUNICI does research in Environmental Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry and Green Chemistry. He is the author and co-author of numerous research publications in international indexed journals (more than 145 articles). He is currently working on several projects related to renewable energies, the new so-called green techniques of pollution treatment, and the development of new bio-materials. His current project is 'Preparation, characterization and utilization of nanocomposite based bioresources.