Hydrogen photoproduction by Rhodobacter sphaeroides immobilised on polyurethane foam

H2 photoproduction by Rhodobacter sphaeroides GL-1 immobilised on polyurethane foam in a continuous flow photobioreactor was shown to occur for prolonged periods. Under optimal conditions (300 W m−2; dilution rate 0.023 h−1) the rate of H2 production was 0.21 ml h−1 ml−1 foam matrix with an efficiency for lactic acid to H2 conversion of 86%. The duration of the process (35 days of operation) showed no major limitations. © Rapid Science Ltd. 1998