A Review on Biohydrogen Production Through Dark Fermentation, Process Parameters and Simulation

Babak Mokhtarani, Jafar Zanganeh () and Behdad Moghtaderi
Additional contact information
Babak Mokhtarani: Centre for Innovative Energy Technologies, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
Jafar Zanganeh: Centre for Innovative Energy Technologies, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
Behdad Moghtaderi: Centre for Innovative Energy Technologies, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 5, 1-24

Abstract: This study explores biohydrogen production through dark fermentation, an alternative supporting sustainable hydrogen generation. Dark fermentation uses organic waste under anaerobic conditions to produce hydrogen in the absence of light. Key process parameters affecting hydrogen yield, including substrate type, microorganism selection, and fermentation conditions, were examined. Various substrates, such as organic wastes and carbohydrates, were tested, and the role of anaerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms in optimizing the process was analyzed. The research also focused on factors such as pH, temperature, and hydraulic retention time to enhance yields and scalability. Additionally, the study modelled the process using ASPEN Plus software 14. This simulation identifies the bottle necks of this process. Due to the lack of available data, modelling and simulation of the described processes in ASPEN Plus required certain approximations. The simulation provides insight into the key challenges that need to be addressed for hydrogen production. Future research should indeed explore current limitations, such as substrate efficiency, process scalability, and cost-effectiveness, as well as potential advancements like the genetic engineering of microbial strains and improved bioreactor designs.

Keywords: dark fermentation; hydrogen production; ASPEN Plus simulation; biomass; straw; glucose (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/5/1092/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/5/1092/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:5:p:1092-:d:1598402

Access Statistics for this article

Energies is currently edited by Ms. Agatha Cao

More articles in Energies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().