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Hydrogen production by immobilized Chlorella vulgaris: optimizing pH, carbon source and light

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Abstract

The effects of light, pH and organic carbon sources were investigated on hydrogen production by algae. An optical fiber was examined as an internal light source. The optical fiber rendered prolonged lag time and total time of hydrogen production. The optimal pH to produce hydrogen for Chlorella sp. was 8.0. Glucose, fructose, sucrose and malt extract were compared as organic carbon sources. The optimal dose of each carbon source was 5 g/L for maximum hydrogen yield. Sucrose produced the largest hydrogen volume (1,315 ml/L), while the highest production rate (24 ml/L/h) was observed in the presence of fructose.

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Acknowledgments

This study was financially supported by Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan and a grant from Marine Biotechnology Program funded by the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs of Korea.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology, Myongji University, Yongin, 449-728, Republic of Korea

    Naim Rashid & Kisay Lee

  2. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Korea Advance Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 373-1, Guseong dong, Yuseng-gu, Daejon, 305-701, Republic of Korea

    Naim Rashid & Jong-in Han

  3. Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA

    Martin Gross

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  1. Naim Rashid
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  2. Kisay Lee
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Correspondence to Kisay Lee.

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Rashid, N., Lee, K., Han, Ji. et al. Hydrogen production by immobilized Chlorella vulgaris: optimizing pH, carbon source and light. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 36, 867–872 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-012-0819-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-012-0819-9

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