Project Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Mahmut Altınbaş (Istanbul Technical University)

Investigators:
Assist. Prof. Dr. Türker Türken (Istanbul Technical University)
Assist. Prof. Dr. Ece Polat (Istanbul Technical University)
Assist. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Sadık Akca (Istanbul Technical University)
Res. Assist. Gamze Ceylan Perver (Istanbul Technical University)
Res. Assist. Ali Tamer Çetinkaya (Istanbul Technical University)
Res. Assist. Simge Sertgümeç (Istanbul Technical University)
Lecturer Dr. Hülya Ünver (Istanbul Technical University)

Global warming and climate change are caused by greenhouse gas emissions originating from fossil fuels. This situation leads to environmental issues and changes in the climate. In this context, hydrogen energy emerges as an alternative energy source with the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Among the various renewable energy sources discovered to replace fossil fuels, hydrogen has garnered attention for its environmentally friendly production technology and high energy content. As a clean fuel, hydrogen produces only water and energy during combustion, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, it is considered a cleaner energy source than fossil fuels. Based on its environmental and economic values, developing and promoting hydrogen-based systems on a pilot scale is essential. In this project, a microalgae-activated sludge or microalgae-bacteria culture with high hydrogen production potential will first be developed. Adaptation stress (nitrogen and/or sulfur deficiency) will be applied to enhance the synthesis of hydrogenase and nitrogenase enzymes in this culture. The developed culture will be tested initially in laboratory and real-scale systems. Additionally, a dark fermentation reactor will be set up for biohydrogen production. For real-scale studies, the liquid portion exiting this reactor will be fed into channel-type photobioreactors (ct-PBRs) with or without pre-treatment involving membranes. Balloons will be added to the ct-PBRs to examine hydrogen production. Finally, the microbial biomass obtained will be evaluated for its potential applications as biofertilizer and dye raw material. The flow diagram of the proposed system is shown below.

Figure. Flow diagram of the proposed system