황산염의 농도변화에 따른 연속 혐기성 수소 발효에 미치는 영향을 고찰하기 위해서 혼합균주를 사용한 완전 혼합형 반응조를 운전하였다. 기질은 글루코오스를 사용하였고, 수리학적 체류시간은 1, 0.5, 0.25 일로 각각 고정하였다. 황산염 농도는 0${sim}$20,000 mg/L로 단계별 증가시켰고 pH 5.5로 운전하였다. 실험 결과 높은 황산염 농도에 관계없이 수소가 발생하였고, HRT 0.25일로 짧아짐에 따라 수소 발생이 높게 나타났다. HRT 1, 0.5, 0.25일 각 조건별 수소 생성량과 수소 수율은 2.9, 4.6, 9.4 L/day, 2.0, 1.8, 1.6 mol $H_2$/mol glucose로 나타났으며, 잔존 황산염 96${sim}$98, 95${sim}$97 94${sim}$97%로 나타나 황산염 환원이 발생하지 않았다. FISH 결과 모든 조건에서 수소생성균의 분포는 나타났지만 황산염환원균의 분포는 나타나지 않았다.
The effect of varying sulfate concentration on continuous fermentative hydrogen production was studied using enriched mixed microflora in continuously fed reactor. Glucose was used as a model substrate for carbohydrates, and hydraulic retention time (HRT) was maintained at 1, 0.5, 0.25 day, respectively. Sulfate concentration was 0${sim}$20,000 mg/L and the operating pH was maintained at 5.5. The experimental results indicate that hydrogen production is not affected by high sulfate concentration and shorter HRT of 0.25 day enhance hydrogen production. At HRT 1, 0.5, 0.25 day, the hydrogen production rate and hydrogen yield were 2.6, 4.6, 9.4 L/day, and 2.0, 1.8, 1.6 mol $H_2$/mol glucose, respectively. Residual sulfate content was 96${sim}$98, 95${sim}$97, and 94${sim}$97% at HRT 1, 0.5, 0.25 day which show that no sulfate reduction occurred in the reactor during the experiments. Results of Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) may indicate the presence of HPB (hydrogen producing bacteria) under all experimental conditions. However, SRB (sulfate reducing bacteria) were not found.
