Quantitative Modelling of Biohydrogen Production from Indian Agricultural Residues via Dark Fermentation

BioH₂, a modern biofuel with clean energy attributes and effective waste management capabilities, emerges as a promising energy source. This study employs quantitative modelling to evaluate India's bioH₂ production potential from major crop residues. Among the seven selected crop residues, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka stand out as the top three states with surplus crop residues. The annual estimated bioH₂ generation potential, without pretreatment, reaches approximately 103 PJ, a figure that soars to around 300 PJ with pretreatment, representing a remarkable 191 % improvement. The study underscores the effectiveness of pretreatment methods involving acid, alkali, or heat in enhancing bioH₂ production. Despite these promising findings, efficiency-related challenges, including temperature, pH, and pretreatment factors, are recognised. The study proposes further research and decentralised production projects as potential strategies to address these challenges, enhancing India's energy security by reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.