Tag: Renewable Hydrogen

Innovative Project Turns Glycerol into Renewable Hydrogen and Biopropane

Researchers have embarked on a groundbreaking project, known as the HYDROGAS project, to explore the potential of glycerol, a byproduct of biodiesel production, in producing renewable hydrogen gas and propane. This innovative work not only has the potential to benefit the environment but also reduce dependence on imported fuels. Glycerol, derived from biodiesel production plants,… Continue reading Innovative Project Turns Glycerol into Renewable Hydrogen and Biopropane

Researchers have embarked on a groundbreaking project, known as the HYDROGAS project, to explore the potential of glycerol, a byproduct of biodiesel production, in producing renewable hydrogen gas and propane. This innovative work not only has the potential to benefit the environment but also reduce dependence on imported fuels.

Glycerol, derived from biodiesel production plants, is both abundant and cost-effective. The HYDROGAS project, supported by Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, the European Union’s reference program for doctoral education and postdoctoral training, focuses on harnessing glycerol as a raw material for producing hydrogen gas and propane.

Hydrogen is widely recognized as one of the most promising clean fuels for the future due to its carbon-neutral properties. Biopropane, on the other hand, can serve as a substitute for fossil-derived liquefied petroleum gases, which are already low in carbon emissions. These fuels also have applications in heating remote off-grid buildings.

Previous research has demonstrated that glycerol can be reacted with hydrogen to transform it into propane. However, the challenge lies in the cost of using external hydrogen sources. The innovation brought by HYDROGAS is the utilization of glycerol itself to generate the required hydrogen for converting glycerol into propane.

Dr. Jude Onwudili from Aston University’s Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute led the study. He explained, “Our approach was to use part of the glycerol to produce the hydrogen gas required for propane production, avoiding the need for it to be added from expensive external sources.”

The HYDROGAS project has successfully achieved its first objective: to develop a process capable of generating sufficient hydrogen to convert glycerol into propane. The second objective, to obtain high propane yields, is still under investigation.

Dr. Onwudili noted, “We are also still working to obtain high propane yields from ‘crude glycerol.’ Through HYDROGAS, we discovered that the second-stage reactions can work in different conditions than those used for hydrogen production, so we will explore this alternative route.”

Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellow, Dr. Carine Tondo Alves, has supported this research endeavor. With additional investments from Aston University, the project is now poised to establish a dedicated research program focused on reforming and transforming glycerol and other biomass-derived feedstocks into sustainable gaseous and liquid fuels. This initiative holds significant promise for advancing clean and renewable energy solutions.

Glycerol: A Green Gateway to Hydrogen and Propane Fuel

Aston University’s recent research has illuminated a promising path toward producing renewable hydrogen and propane fuel gases using an unexpected source – glycerol. Glycerol, commonly known for its presence in health and beauty products, is an organic compound primarily derived from fats and oils. Leveraging the abundance and cost-effectiveness of crude glycerol, mainly obtained from… Continue reading Glycerol: A Green Gateway to Hydrogen and Propane Fuel

Aston University’s recent research has illuminated a promising path toward producing renewable hydrogen and propane fuel gases using an unexpected source – glycerol.

Glycerol, commonly known for its presence in health and beauty products, is an organic compound primarily derived from fats and oils. Leveraging the abundance and cost-effectiveness of crude glycerol, mainly obtained from biodiesel production facilities, researchers have embarked on pioneering efforts to harness its potential for generating hydrogen gas and propane. This groundbreaking work holds significant environmental benefits and has the potential to reduce dependence on fuel imports.

The HYDROGAS project, funded by the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions program, the European Union’s leading initiative for doctoral education and postdoctoral training, has dived deep into the utilization of glycerol as a foundational resource for the production of hydrogen gas and propane.

Hydrogen is widely acknowledged as the most promising clean fuel for the future due to its carbon-free emissions. Biopropane, on the other hand, has the potential to substitute fossil-derived liquefied petroleum gases, offering an environmentally friendly alternative. These fuels also provide a practical solution for heating distant off-grid structures.

Previously, researchers demonstrated that glycerol could be converted into propane by reacting with hydrogen. However, this method incurred high costs due to the need for external hydrogen. The innovative approach of the HYDROGAS project was to employ a portion of the glycerol itself to generate the necessary hydrogen for transforming glycerol into propane.

Dr. Jude Onwudili, heading the research at Aston University’s Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute, explained their groundbreaking approach, saying, “Our approach was to use part of the glycerol itself to produce the hydrogen gas required for propane production, avoiding the need for it to be added from expensive external sources.”

The HYDROGAS project has successfully achieved its initial goal of establishing a method to produce an ample supply of hydrogen from glycerol for conversion into propane. However, the project’s second objective, which aims to attain substantial propane yields, is currently under investigation and exploration.

Dr. Jude Onwudili elaborated, “We are also still working to obtain high propane yields from ‘crude glycerol.’ Through HYDROGAS, we discovered that the second-stage reactions can work in different conditions to those that make the hydrogen, so that we will explore this alternative route.”

Dr. Carine Tondo Alves, a Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellow, has strongly supported this research endeavor. With additional funding from Aston University, the project is now geared towards creating a specialized research program focused on reforming and converting glycerol and other feedstocks derived from biomass into environmentally sustainable gaseous and liquid fuels. This innovative approach not only holds the promise of greener energy but also the potential to substantially impact reducing carbon emissions and reliance on traditional fuel sources.