Production of Biohydrogen from Organ-Containing Waste for Use in Fuel Cells

Abstract

The production of low-carbon hydrogen based on renewable energy sources is considered a promising direction in the development of the modern world economy. The purpose of the presented research is to develop technologies and study the processes of converting biogases into hydrogen, as well as its use in low-temperature fuel cells. The methodology for organizing a multi-stage laboratory experiment for obtaining biogas, its purification from impurities and, in the future, the production of biohydrogen was developed based on field studies in Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. The results of modeling studies have shown that during biogas reforming, it is possible to obtain a hydrogen mixture with a hydrogen content of 98% vol and methane 2% vol. Based on the results of the research, the possibility of using the significant potential of “weak” biogas containing methane 30–45% vol to produce biohydrogen (more than 93% vol) was proved. A technique for using biohydrogen in low-temperature fuel cells for energy generation has been substantiated and tested.

Keywords

• waste
• biogas
• biohydrogen
• hydrogen fuel
• residual methane
• low-temperature fuel cell