Advancements in Biohydrogen Production

The generation of biohydrogen is a rapidly growing field and is viewed as a more sustainable option compared to conventional methods of hydrogen production. Biohydrogen generation through biological means makes use of microorganisms and organic substrates, leading to lower energy and environmental costs. This chapter focuses on the most recent developments in modern biohydrogen production pathways such as dark fermentation, photo fermentation, biophotolysis, and integrated hybrid systems. New breakthroughs in strain modification, metabolic pathway hard wiring, and synthetic biology have led to more reliable processes with higher hydrogen yields. Advances in the design of reactors, such as modern photobioreactors, two-stage reactors, and AI-based control systems, have improved the operational stability and the system’s ability to scale. The use of food waste, lignocellulosic biomass, and marine residues as feedstocks is analyzed within the framework of a circular bioeconomy. Environmental and economic assessments, life cycle analysis, and a technoeconomic evaluation have been carried out to assess the systems’ feasibility. The chapter showcases several case studies which demonstrate practical implementations. Finally, the chapter discusses the most pressing issues that need to be answered and highlights the most important avenues for future research in biohydrogen technology.