Cellulose-hydrogen production from corn stalk biomass by anaerobic fermentation

Cellulose-hydrogen production from corn stalk by lesser panda manure was carried out in batch tests and a 5 L scale-up continuously stirred anaerobic bioreactor (CSABR), respectively. The bio-pretreatment of corn stalk was found most effective at 25°C using microbe additive of 7.5 g/kg, in which the yields of soluble saccharides (SS) and lactic acid were 212 mg/g-TS and 21 mg/g-TS, respectively. The maximum cumulative H2 yield (176 ml/g-TS) and H2 production rate (14.5 ml/g-TS h⁻¹) were obtained at pH 5.5, 36°C by treating a substrate of 15 g/L. The hydrogen content in biogas was 57.2% and there was no significant methane gas observed. During the optimal period of H₂ production, the ORP values stayed in the lower level ranging from −445 mV to −455 mV. The results show that the bio-pretreatment of the raw materials played a vital role in the effective conversion of corn stalk into cellulose.hydrogen by mixed culture. Supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant Nos. 2009CB220005 and 2006CB708407), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 90610001 and 20871106) and Energy and Technology Program from Zhengzhou University