Production of biohydrogen by rhodobacter sphaeroides in palm oil mill effluent through photofermentation

In conjunction with sustainability and waste minimization concept, biohydrogen emerges as an alternative energy carrier to replace fossil fuels. This thesis investigates the potential reuse of combined palm oil, pulp and paper mill effluent as a substrate to produce biohydrogen and to reduce the organic pollutants simultaneously, via photofermentation by Rhodobacter sphaeroides. Further study examines the potential improvement of biohydrogen production through the application of ultrasound technology in three stages: (i) onto combined-effluents substrate before photofermentation, (ii) onto liquid inoculum before photofermentation, and (iii) intermittent ultrasonication during photofermentation.