Hydrogen from industrial byproducts
The need for sustainable hydrogen will most likely increase iin the future. Electrolysis using byproducts will be the solution.
Project description
Electrolysis of water is, if the electricity has been generated in an environmentally friendly way, a sustainable source for hydrogen. Unfortunately, the energy efficiency is relatively low. It can, however, be lowered if alcohols are present that are oxidized to carbonyls and carboxylic acids. Therefore, it is important to identify industrial byproducts that can provide the system with cheap and abundant alcohols. We have identified two such flows, glycerol from biodisel production and black liquor from kraft pulping wood. We are studying these substrates both from optimization of catalysis/electrode, and identification of valuable reaction products. The technical challenges with using black liquor is also large.
Financing
Energimyndigheten
Cooperation
Ann Cornell, KTH