초록
A novel bio-electrohydrolysis system (BEH) based on self-inducing electrogenic activity was designed as a pretreatment device to enhance biohydrogen (H<SUB>2</SUB>) production efficiency of food waste. Experimental strategy involved two-stage integrated/hybrid operation with hydrolysis in initial stage followed by acidogenic fermentation for H<SUB>2</SUB> production in second stage. After pre-treatment, catabolized food waste from control (anaerobic) and BEH (closed circuit mode of operation) system was used as substrate in a separate bioreactor to evaluate H<SUB>2</SUB> production in dark-fermentation process. Pretreated-waste from BEH showed higher H<SUB>2</SUB> production (29.12 ml/h; 24th h) than control (26.75 ml/h; 16th h). Higher cumulative H<SUB>2</SUB> production and maximum substrate degradation were also noticed with BEH-pretreated substrate (CHP, 0.91 l; COD, 52.42%) than control (CHP, 0.68 l; COD, 43.68%). Under closed circuitry, anode served as an alternative electron acceptor promoting biotransformation of complex organics to simpler molecules through catabolism.