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Content archived on 2022-12-23

Biotechnology of hydrogen energy production in photobioreactors incorporating photosynthetic micro-organisms

Objective



The ultimate aim of this collaborative project is to optimise the production of molecular hydrogen by photosynthetic and cyanobacteria in laboratory-model bioreactors. Specific objectives are: the screening and the development of novel phototrophs with high nitrogenase/hydrogenase activities; the study of the regulation of hydrogenase synthesis in photosynthetic bacteria; factors which would inhibit N2 fixation and enhance H2 production by nitrogenases; the study of the molecular genetics of hydrogenases; the study of the role of nutritional (CO2, + Mo, Ni and V) and other (e.g. O2) stresses on hydrogenase activity in photosynthetic and purple bacteria; the isolation of oxygen-stable hydrogenases from selected phototrophs using novel methods of purification; the investigation of the structure of hydrogenases by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy; the study of biomimetic systems for H2 production using hydrogenases and redox catalysts; the design of photobioreactors with immobilised cells of phototrophic bacteria for hydrogen production; the estimation of light energy and CO2 conversion into biomass/H2; the use of agricultural wastes and toxic compounds such as H2S for the growth of photosynthetic bacteria and in H2 production; the study of feasibility of constructing coupled systems incorporating isolated light harvesting and charge separation devices (or semiconductors), redox mediators and hydrogenases for continuous photohydrogen production.

The research will exploit the catalytic activities of the nitrogenase and hydrogenase enzymes in photosynthetic bacteria and cyanobacteria to generate molecular hydrogen which is a clean fuel and reductant. Optimisation of H2 photoproduction is to be achieved by strain selection and by biochemical and genetic modification of existing activity. Once the conditions for optimal H2 production are identified, bench-top bioreactors will be constructed to demonstrate continuous H2 production.

Two types of bioreactors will be assembled and tested for their relative performance in H2 production and collection. The hollow fibre reactor was used to demonstrate the capacity of the reactor to produce H2 for prolonged periods and this basic design will be expanded, including tests of new types of membranes. The biocoil reactor was used to mass culture free cells of cyanobacteria for biomass. Necessary modifications will be carried out for adaptation of the reactor for H2 production and collection.

Results are expected in H2 production by photosynthetic bacteria; H2 production by cyanobacterial; rates and duration of H2 evolution from a photobioreactor; and determination of photosynthetic efficiency.

Topic(s)

Call for proposal

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Funding Scheme

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Coordinator

King's College London
EU contribution
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Address
Atkins Building Campden Hill Road
W8 7AH London
United Kingdom

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Total cost
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Participants (2)