ABSTRACT
In a continuous stirred tank reactor, one can carry out the process of H2 production. This process has advantages in comparison to a batch culture, since the microbial growth can be kept in a desired log phase where maximum hydrogen production can be achieved since hydrogen production is a growth-associated product. The continuous H2 production is carried out in a 500 mL glass double-jacketed reactor. The temperature of the reactor is maintained at 37°C by using a temperature-controlled circulating water bath. Anaerobic condition in the reactor is maintained by sparging H2 gas for a fixed period. The system is initially operated in the batch mode and is shifted to the continuous mode when the rate of H2 production reaches its peak. The chapter discusses kinetics of the continuous biohydrogen production process using Enterobacter cloacae IIT-BT 08.
