Structural optimization of biohydrogen production: Impact of pretreatments on volatile fatty acids and biogas parameters

The present study aims to describe an innovative approach that enables the system achieve high yielding for biohydrogen (bio-H2) production using xylose as a by-product of lignocellulosic biomass processing. A hybrid optimization technique, structural modelling, desirability analysis, and genetic algorithm could determine optimum input factors maximize useful biogas parameters, especially bio-H2 CH4. As found, (pretreatment, digestion time relative pressure) volatile fatty acids (acetic acid, propionic acid butyric acid) had significantly impacted parameters score. pretreatment factor most directly effect on CH4 among factors, indirectly effect. method showed best was acidic pretreatment, > 20 h, pressure in range 300–800 mbar, acetic 90–200 mg/L, 20–150 250–420 mg/L. These values caused produce H2 10.2 mmol/L, 3.9 N2 < 15.3 CO2 19.5 total 0.31 L, produced 0.10 accumulated 0.41 L.