Engineers at the University of Leeds believe so, and are developing an energy efficient, environmentally-friendly hydrogen production system. The system enables hydrogen to be extracted from waste materials, such as vegetable oil and the glycerol by-product of bio-diesel.
The aim is to create the high purity hydrogen-based fuel necessary not only for large-scale power production, but also for smaller portable fuel cells.
Dr Valerie Dupont from the School of Process, Environmental and Materials Engineering (SPEME) says: “I can foresee a time when the processes we are investigating could help ensure that hydrogen is a mainstream fuel.
“We are investigating the feasibility of creating a uniquely energy efficient method of hydrogen production which uses air rather than burners to heat the raw product. Our current research will improve the sustainability of this process and reduce its carbon emissions.”
A grant of over £400k has been awarded to the University by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) within a consortium of 12 institutions known as SUPERGEN Sustainable Hydrogen Delivery.
Hydrogen is widely considered to be a potential replacement for fossil fuels, but it is costly to extract.
There are also often high levels of greenhouse gases emitted during conventional methods of production.
“We firmly believe that these advanced steam reforming processes have great potential for helping to build the hydrogen economy. Our primary focus now is to ensure the materials we rely on - both to catalyze the desired reaction and to capture the carbon dioxide – can be used over and over again without losing their efficacy.”
Read full from ScienceDaily
Haase Comment - Didn't we 'discover' this 'new' process decades ago?
Research link
Oh and if we are looking for 'new' hydrogen powered and electric cars to 'grant' and 'subsidize'...
GM produced the Electrovan and AUTOnomy vehicles that date back 40 years. And don't forget the first hybrid in1909 or 108 year old electric...Research link
