Production of Biohydrogen as a Future Energy Solution from Palm Oil Mill Effluent by Mixed Culture in Endemic Area of Pakenjeng, Garut, Indonesia

Abstract

Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) is industrial waste from Palm Oil Industry contain 50-75% of CH4 and 25-45% of CO2 which contribute to the air pollution and cause climate change in the long-term effect. However, biogas derived from POME contain methane, carbon dioxide and biohydrogen which have potency to be developed to renewable energy resource if burned. Production of biohydrogen was successfully isolated from anaerobic digested palm oil effluent (POME) in Pakenjeng-Cikelet, Garut, Indonesia. The methodology used in this research was approached by biochemical process. First, took the fresh sample of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) from waste disposal of Palm Oil Industry in Pakenjeng-Cikelet, Garut, Indonesia. Then, isolated the bacteria of mixed culture from POME active sludge and reacted them by acidification process. The result of isolation would be enriched and then analyzed by the microbial growth curve. POME would be fermented to produce biohydrogen by dark fermentation and batch culture with treatment. After fermenting, the production of CO2 and H2 would be measured by pH test, and kinetic modeling followed the modified Gompertz equation. The result of hydrogen production in fermentor with 500 mL of vial tube and 250 mL of medium incubated in 24 h were 65.6 mL at control treatment, 43.1 mL at yeast extract added, 20.3 mL at ZA added and 35.7 mL at touge (bean sprouts) extract.

Keywords: Biohydrogen; POME; reneweble energy; mixed culture.