Biological fermentation pilot-scale systems and evaluation for commercial viability towards sustainable biohydrogen production

Quanguo Zhang; Youzhou Jiao; Chao He; Roger Ruan; Jianjun Hu; Jingzheng Ren; Sara Toniolo; Danping Jiang; Chaoyang Lu; Yameng Li; Yi Man; Huan Zhang; Zhiping Zhang; Chenxi Xia; Yi Wang; Yanyan Jing; Xueting Zhang; Ruojue Lin; Gang Li; Jianzhi Yue; Nadeem Tahir

doi:10.1038/s41467-024-48790-4

Nature Communications (May 2024)

Biological fermentation pilot-scale systems and evaluation for commercial viability towards sustainable biohydrogen production

Quanguo Zhang,
Youzhou Jiao,
Chao He,
Roger Ruan,
Jianjun Hu,
Jingzheng Ren,
Sara Toniolo,
Danping Jiang,
Chaoyang Lu,
Yameng Li,
Yi Man,
Huan Zhang,
Zhiping Zhang,
Chenxi Xia,
Yi Wang,
Yanyan Jing,
Xueting Zhang,
Ruojue Lin,
Gang Li,
Jianzhi Yue,
Nadeem Tahir

Affiliations

Quanguo Zhang: Key Laboratory of New Materials and Facilities for Rural Renewable Energy of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, College of Mechanical & Electrical engineering, Henan Agricultural University
Youzhou Jiao: Key Laboratory of New Materials and Facilities for Rural Renewable Energy of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, College of Mechanical & Electrical engineering, Henan Agricultural University
Chao He: Key Laboratory of New Materials and Facilities for Rural Renewable Energy of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, College of Mechanical & Electrical engineering, Henan Agricultural University
Roger Ruan: Biorefining Center, University of Minnesota
Jianjun Hu: Key Laboratory of New Materials and Facilities for Rural Renewable Energy of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, College of Mechanical & Electrical engineering, Henan Agricultural University
Jingzheng Ren: Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Sara Toniolo: Department of Management, University of Verona
Danping Jiang: Key Laboratory of New Materials and Facilities for Rural Renewable Energy of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, College of Mechanical & Electrical engineering, Henan Agricultural University
Chaoyang Lu: Key Laboratory of New Materials and Facilities for Rural Renewable Energy of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, College of Mechanical & Electrical engineering, Henan Agricultural University
Yameng Li: Key Laboratory of New Materials and Facilities for Rural Renewable Energy of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, College of Mechanical & Electrical engineering, Henan Agricultural University
Yi Man: Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Huan Zhang: Key Laboratory of New Materials and Facilities for Rural Renewable Energy of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, College of Mechanical & Electrical engineering, Henan Agricultural University
Zhiping Zhang: Key Laboratory of New Materials and Facilities for Rural Renewable Energy of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, College of Mechanical & Electrical engineering, Henan Agricultural University
Chenxi Xia: Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Huanghe S & T University
Yi Wang: Henan International Joint Laboratory of Biomass Energy and Nanomaterials, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biomass Energy, Henan Agricultural University
Yanyan Jing: Key Laboratory of New Materials and Facilities for Rural Renewable Energy of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, College of Mechanical & Electrical engineering, Henan Agricultural University
Xueting Zhang: Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Huanghe S & T University
Ruojue Lin: Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Gang Li: Henan International Joint Laboratory of Biomass Energy and Nanomaterials, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biomass Energy, Henan Agricultural University
Jianzhi Yue: Key Laboratory of New Materials and Facilities for Rural Renewable Energy of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, College of Mechanical & Electrical engineering, Henan Agricultural University
Nadeem Tahir: Henan International Joint Laboratory of Biomass Energy and Nanomaterials, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biomass Energy, Henan Agricultural University

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-48790-4
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 15, no. 1
pp. 1 – 12

Abstract

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Abstract Featuring high caloric value, clean-burning, and renewability, hydrogen is a fuel believed to be able to change energy structure worldwide. Biohydrogen production technologies effectively utilize waste biomass resources and produce high-purity hydrogen. Improvements have been made in the biohydrogen production process in recent years. However, there is a lack of operational data and sustainability analysis from pilot plants to provide a reference for commercial operations. In this report, based on spectrum coupling, thermal effect, and multiphase flow properties of hydrogen production, continuous pilot-scale biohydrogen production systems (dark and photo-fermentation) are established as a research subject. Then, pilot-scale hydrogen production systems are assessed in terms of sustainability. The system being evaluated, consumes 171,530 MJ of energy and emits 9.37 t of CO2 eq when producing 1 t H2, and has a payback period of 6.86 years. Our analysis also suggests future pathways towards effective biohydrogen production technology development and real-world implementation.

Published in Nature Communications

ISSN: 2041-1723 (Online)
Publisher: Nature Portfolio
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Science
Website: https://www.nature.com/ncomms/

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