Influence of pH and inoculum addition on biohydrogen production from the organic fraction of municipal waste

Batch fermentative assays were performed in order to evaluatehydrogen production under different pH conditionsand inoculum dosages. Biochemical hydrogen potential tests were carried out with and without automaticpH control. Different substrateto inoculumratio (or Food to Microorganism, F:M ratio, by weight) namely 1:1,1:3and 3:1, were tested at initial pH of 5.5 and 6.5 (no automaticpH control) and pH of 5.5, 6.5 and 7.5 (with automaticpH control). Results highlighted that the continuous pH control improved the conversion of organic waste into H2. The best process performance were attained at pH 5.5 and F:Mequal to 1:1and 1:3(100.11and 102.52lH2/kgTVSOF, respectively, at standard conditions).