Theme 1: Hydrogen Production
The production of molecular hydrogen is a necessity, as it does not occur naturally to any significant extent. Most hydrogen is currently produced from steam reforming of fossil fuels. However, fossil fuel resources are limited and reform greenhouse gases (CO2). It is proposed that long-term sustainable hydrogen production will be based on biologically inspired processes or water splitting using energy from renewable sources.
The focus of research in Theme 1 will be the fermentation of biomass, which will build on successful research from Phase 1 of UK-SHEC. This includes the development of a biohydrogen pilot plant capable of producing hydrogen from unrefined complex substrates such as grass, fodder maize and sugar beet.
Work will be carried out mainly in the University of Glamorgan, under the direction of Professor Richard Dinsdale. Highlights include:
- Scale up of production facilities developed in Phase 1; and
- Collaboration with Consortium partners on how hydrogen may be purified.