The role of biogas in reducing CO₂ emissions in the EU by 2050 is crucial, especially as demand from industry and the energy sector is expected to rise significantly. Therefore, prioritising biogas production through waste-to-hydrogen conversion is essential. Using waste as a feedstock for hydrogen production not only minimises CO₂ emissions compared to direct biogas combustion but also fosters a circular economy.
A new EU funded project aims to harness innovative technology for the direct delivery of purified and pressurized hydrogen while simultaneously generating food-grade CO₂ through a liquefaction process. By recycling off-gas produced during liquefaction, the project enhances overall efficiency and supports the broader goals of sustainable energy production.
Empowers local communities with efficient waste-to-hydrogen solutions
The project addresses the inefficiencies and economic challenges of traditional hydrogen production methods, which are unsuitable for smaller biogas facilities. By introducing an integrated novel modular reactor, it streamlines the conventional six-step waste-to-hydrogen conversion process into a single operation. This innovation efficiently converts waste into hydrogen, meeting the energy needs of small to medium-sized communities.
– The project provides us with a unique opportunity to explore the technical feasibility of this innovative technology and showcase its potential to transform waste into hydrogen efficiently and sustainably, simplifying the entire process for smaller-scale applications, says Nancy Tarjenian Astour, the project coordinator and Technology Business Development Manager at the Asociación de la Industria Navarra (AIN).
In the project, SINTEF is in charge of testing the durability of the hydrogen membrane during operation with biogas.
– H2S is the main impurity present in biogas, and SINTEF will use its specific infrastructure to identity the limits of H2S concentration that can be fed to the bioPMR system, says Belma Talic, Research Scientist at SINTEF.
