Co-fermentation of sewage sludge and algae and Fe2+ addition for enhancing hydrogen production

Co-fermentation of sewage sludge and algae was performed for enhancing the hydrogen production, and the effect of Fe²⁺ on co-fermentation process was examined. Results showed that both co-fermentation process and Fe²⁺ addition promoted hydrogen production. Highest hydrogen production of 28 mL/100 mL (14.8 mL H₂/g VS_added) was obtained from the co-fermentation group with 600 mg/L Fe²⁺ addition, which was 2.15 times, 2.00 times and 1.87 times of mono-fermentation of sludge, mono-fermentation of algae, and the co-fermentation group without Fe²⁺ addition. Both volatile solids and protein degradation were stimulated by co-fermentation process. Microbial analysis showed that co-fermentation groups with Fe²⁺ addition enriched Clostridium sensu stricto 13, Clostridium tertium and Terrisporobacter, which were positively correlated with cumulative hydrogen production. This study suggested that the co-fermentation of sludge and algae in the presence of Fe²⁺ could significantly improve the hydrogen production by stimulating the hydrogen-producing metabolism.