Enhanced hydrogen production by controlling light intensity in sulfur-deprived Chlamydomonas reinhardtii culture

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 31; no. 11; pp. 1585 - 1590
• Main Authors: Pyo Kim, Jun, Duk Kang, Chang, Hyun Park, Tai, Sun Kim, Mi, Jun Sim, Sang
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01-09-2006; Elsevier
• Subjects: Alternative fuels. Production and utilization; Applied sciences; Chlamydomonas reinhardtii; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Fuels; Hydrogen; Hydrogen production; Light intensity; Photosynthesis; Sulfur deprivation; Light intensity; Sulfur deprivation; Photosynthesis; Chlamydomonas reinhardtii; Hydrogen production; Luminous intensity; Chlorophyta; Algae; Chlorophyceae; Performance; Anaerobic digestion; Thallophyta
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2006.06.026

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a green alga that can use light energy to produce hydrogen from water under anaerobic conditions. This work reports the enhancement of hydrogen production by controlling the light intensity in sulfur-deprived anaerobic
C. reinhardtii cultures. The overall hydrogen production was dependent on light intensity in the range of 60–
200
μ
E
m
-
2
s
-
1
. Maximum hydrogen production was obtained at a light intensity of
200
μ
E
m
-
2
s
-
1
as a result of the rapid initiation of hydrogen production and the greatest increase of chlorophyll during the initial 24
h after sulfur deprivation. However, the hydrogen production was inhibited at an intensity of
300
μ
E
m
-
2
s
-
1
of light owing to photosystem II photodamage by excess light. The maximum hydrogen production and the maximum specific production rate of hydrogen were
225
ml
H
2
l
-
1
culture and
2.01
ml
H
2
g
-
1
cells
h
-
1
, respectively. Thus, hydrogen production by sulfur-deprived
C. reinhardtii cultures can be maximized by controlling the light intensity at levels below saturation.