Biogas recirculation for the recovery of biological hydrogen productivity

Seunggun Won; Anthony Lau

doi:10.11109/JAES.2026.28.2.066

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2026 Vol.28, Issue 2 Preview Page Next Page

Biogas recirculation for the recovery of biological hydrogen productivity 생물학적 수소 생산수율 회복을 위한 바이오가스 재순환 기법연구

31 August 2026. pp. 66-74

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Abstract

Biological hydrogen production from waste organic resources offers a promising alternative for sustainable energy generation. Among these, livestock manure has garnered significant attention as a potential feedstock. However, the accumulation of propionic acid during anaerobic fermentation is known to inhibit hydrogen production. While various factors negatively affect hydrogen generation via microbial activity, this study identifies a specific cause and proposes a method to restore hydrogen productivity using livestock manure as a substrate. An anaerobic sequencing batch reactor (ASBR) was utilized for hydrogen production, with a mixed liquor suspended solids concentration of 5,500 mg/L as activated sludge. A hydraulic retention time of 1 day and an organic loading rate of 10.7 kg/m³/day were maintained. Inhibitory effects of propionic acid accumulation have been reported in both methane- and hydrogen- producing reactors. When hydrogen productivity decreased due to excess propionic acid formation, the biogas produced was reintroduced into the reactor. This biogas recirculation successfully restored hydrogen productivity. Compared to normal productivity, biogas circulation improved hydrogen content by 26% and the hydrogen production rate by 25% (L H₂/L_Reactor/day). Intermittent reintroduction of biogas into the reactor presents an effective strategy to mitigate system disturbances and enhance biogas hydrogen content.

Keywords

Biohydrogen

Anaerobic fermentation

Biogas recirculation

Propionic acid

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Information

Publisher :The Korean Society of Animal Environmental Science & Technology
Publisher(Ko) :(사)한국축산환경학회
Journal Title :Journal of Animal Environmental Science
Journal Title(Ko) :축산시설환경학회지
Volume : 28
No :2
Pages :66-74
Received Date : 2026-06-23
Revised Date : 2026-08-18
Accepted Date : 2026-08-19
DOI :https://doi.org/10.11109/JAES.2026.28.2.066

Journal of Animal Environmental Science ISSN:1226-0274(Print) 축산시설환경학회지

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