Research trends and prospects for hydrogen production from sludge fermentation: based on bibliometric analysis

There are many applications for the technology of producing hydrogen from organic waste. Due to its large volume, high organic content, and stable source, sewage sludge has gained significant attention among various organic wastes. The purpose of this paper is to present a bibliometric and technological study of hydrogen production from anaerobic fermentation of sewage sludge during the last decade using data from the Web of Science. The analysis of authors, countries/regions, and keywords is the primary focus of the bibliometric study. In terms of technological advances, this paper reviews the mechanisms and influencing factors of hydrogen production from sewage sludge, and provides an overview of the research on pretreatment and co-fermentation that has been carried out in recent years to improve the hydrogen production rate. This paper discusses the challenges faced in anaerobic hydrogen production from sludge and concludes that more research is needed for its commercialization and large-scale application. This review provides references and ideas for sludge synergies in the utilization of organic solid waste resources.