Improving the Continuous Multiple Tube Reactor: an Innovative Bioreactor Configuration with Great Potential for Dark Fermentation Processes

The continuous multiple tube reactor (CMTR) has been developed as a promising technology to maximize biohydrogen production (BHP) by dark fermentation (DF) by preventing excess biomass accumulation, leading to suboptimum values of specific organic loading rates (SOLR). However, previous experiences failed to achieve stable and continuous BHP in this reactor, as the low biomass retention capacity in the tube region limited controlling the SOLR. This study goes beyond the evaluation of the CMTR for DF by inserting grooves in the inner wall of the tubes to ensure better cell attachment. The CMTR was monitored in 4 assays at 25ºC using sucrose-based synthetic effluent. The hydraulic retention time (HRT) was fixed at 2 h, while the COD varied between 2–8 g L −1 to obtain organic loading rates in the 24 – 96 g COD L −1 d −1 . Long-term (90 d) BHP was successfully attained in all conditions due to the improved biomass retention capacity. Optimal values for the SOLR (4.9 g COD g −1 VSS d −1 ) were observed when applying up to 48 g COD L −1 d −1 , in which BHP was maximized. These patterns indicate a favorable balance between biomass retention and washout was naturally achieved. The CMTR looks promising for continuous BHP and is exempt from additional biomass discharge strategies.