A Korean laboratory has managed to produce hydrogen on a large scale from an abundant good: sewage

An old technology that has never been commercialized due to its low efficiency has just taken an enormous leap in productivity thanks to a Korean invention.

Context. Bioelectrochemical cells (BECs) are devices that use specialized microorganisms, such as electrogenic bacteria, to oxidize organic compounds, releasing electrons and protons in the process.

After the metabolic reaction, electrons are transferred from the anode to the cathode, generating an electric current. Protons migrate from the anode through an exchange membrane, separating into hydrogen ions. Electrons and hydrogen ions then combine to produce hydrogen gas.

Although it is a sustainable process, its low efficiency has prevented the commercialization of the technology on a large scale compared to other more polluting solutions. Until now.

The news. A team of scientists from the South Korea Energy Research Institute (KIER) has made a major breakthrough in the production of clean hydrogen with bioelectrochemical cells.

The team has developed and certified a technology called “Zero-Gap” that promises large-scale, cost-effective hydrogen production from organic waste, killing two birds with one stone: the growing demand for green hydrogen and sustainable waste management. organic.

How it works. Zero-Gap minimizes energy losses in reactions within the bioelectrochemical cell. Its design reduces the distance between the electrodes and the cell separator, improving electron transfer.

But unlike other gapless systems, KIER’s design does not suffer from pressure imbalances at larger scales because it includes a cylindrical cap that applies uniform pressure. This design “ensures complete adhesion between components, prevents drops in efficiency, and maintains consistent performance, even at large scale.”

In figures. Zero-Gap technology has demonstrated its potential in tests certified by the South Korean Testing Laboratory (KTL). The production results are impressive: 180% more electrons and 120% more hydrogen compared to conventional processes.

“This breakthrough solves long-standing problems of energy loss in conventional processes, offering a transformative path to cost-effective, large-scale hydrogen production,” a statement said.

Advantages and challenges. Bioelectrochemical cells make it possible to produce hydrogen from a wide variety of organic waste, such as wastewater or industrial water, agricultural waste and biomass.

They are a sustainable alternative to conventional methods that generate large carbon dioxide emissions, such as methane reforming, and can be installed in the same locations where waste is generated, reducing transportation costs.

But they still have important challenges to solve: production rates are still relatively low compared to industrial methods and the conditions for microorganisms to function optimally require rigorous process control.

Imagen | Korea Institute of Energy Research