초록
<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>The present study developed a two-step continuous hydrogen production process using immobilized mixed culture with corn stalk as adsorption carrier. The carrier inoculum and hydraulic retention time (HRT) were optimized in batch and semi-continuous tests, respectively. The results showed that the immobilized bacteria could use starch directly, and the highest hydrogen yield of 1.81 mol H<SUB>2</SUB>/mol glucose was obtained with a carrier inoculum of 1% in the batch test. The semi-continuous test exhibited a continuous and stable hydrogen production for 20 days at HRT = 48 h, with an average hydrogen production rate of 223.56 mL/L/d. Under these conditions, a two-step continuous test was successfully developed, and the hydrogen production in both two reactors increased linearly for 18 days without any start-up period. The total hydrogen production rate could reach 429.72 mL/L/d. The results indicated the potential of using corn stalk as adsorption carrier for continuous hydrogen production.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Corn stalk was used as carrier to immobilize mixed culture for H<SUB>2</SUB> production. </LI> <LI> Two-step continuous hydrogen production process was developed. </LI> <LI> Carrier inoculum and hydraulic retention time were optimized. </LI> <LI> Continuous process demonstrated the stability and efficiency of corn stalk. </LI> <LI> This study indicated an efficient way for continuous H<SUB>2</SUB> production from starch. </LI> </UL> </P>