초록
The present study demonstrated the feasibility of using an integrated approach of combining dark fermentation with MFCs to maximize the energy recovery from cellulosic substrate. Thermophillic dark-H<SUB>2</SUB> fermentation exhibited maximum H<SUB>2</SUB> production yield of 2.92 mol mol<SUP>-1</SUP> hexose equivalent with an energy recovery of 28% which was highest reported till date. The total cumulative hydrogen potential of 3799 mL L<SUP>-1</SUP> with maximum rate of hydrogen production of 865 mL h<SUP>-1</SUP>, and lag time of 1.84 h were determined by using modified Gompertz equation. Subsequent use of acid rich effluents in two chamber MFCs generated maximum power density of 85.05 mW m<SUP>-2</SUP> with an energy recovery of 2.49%. Moreover, a 75% COD removal was also achieved with a coulombic efficiency of 13% illustrating its ability for wastewater treatment. By using this integrated approach, an overall energy recovery of 30.49% was achieved demonstrating both environmental and economic sustainability of the process.