Hiligsmann Serge, Masset Julien, Beckers Laurent, Hamilton Christopher, Thonart Philippe
Centre Wallon de Biologie Industrielle /
Walloon Centre for Industrial Biology
University of Liege, B40. B-4000 Sart-Tilman. BELGIUM
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences. Passage des Déportés, 2 B-5030 Gembloux. BELGIUM
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Investigations carried out by CWBI
• Selection and characterization of bacteria strains
• Optimization of culture conditions for the most interesting bacteria strains i.e.
Clostridium sp : influence of pH and H2
partial pressure, …
• Design of highly efficient bioreactors : biofilm formation, H2 transfer, …
• Scale-up of the biotechnological process : 20 L 650 L, fuel cell operation, biomethanisation, …
Biohydrogen production from
anaerobic digestion of carbohydrate organic matter
Two microbial pathways for biohydrogen production
Dark fermentation Photo fermentation Phototrophic microorganisms Carbone Source Light Anaérobiosis, Nutrients Chemotrophic microorganisms CO2+ H2 Alcohols, acids, ... in aqueous solution ... 6CO2+ 12H2 ... 2CH3COOH + 2CO2+ 4H2
C6H12O6 C6H12O6 Carbone Source Phototrophic microorganisms Carbone Source Light Anaérobiosis, Nutrients Chemotrophic microorganisms CO2+ H2 Alcohols, acids, ... in aqueous solution ... 6CO2+ 12H2 ... 2CH3COOH + 2CO2+ 4H2
C6H12O6 C6H12O6
Carbone Source
Dark fermentation is more
adapted for industrial H
2production from wastewater
and biomass
Pollution reduction
Energy generation
http://cwbi.fsagx.ac.be
Biotechnological process
Residual organic matter Bioreactor I Bioreactor II CO2+ H2 Biogastreatment Fuel cell
CO2+ CH4
Engine or
steam power Steam and mechanic energy Ultimate treatment Brewery effluents 10 000 m3/d wastewaters 1400 mg/L DBO5 3000 m3H2 375 kW 150 kW + hot water 1000 kW Natural environment 225 kW 750 kW Residual organic matter Bioreactor I Bioreactor II CO2+ H2 Biogas
treatment Fuel cell
CO2+ CH4
Engine or
steam power Steam and mechanic energy Ultimate treatment Brewery effluents 10 000 m3/d wastewaters 1400 mg/L DBO5 3000 m3H2 375 kW 150 kW + hot water 1000 kW Natural environment 225 kW 750 kW