BIOHYDROGEN PRODUCTION Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the Universe and very common on earth. Its atomic
structure is the simplest of all atoms, since it is composed of one proton and one electron. Usually, pure
hydrogen, which is diatomic (H
2
), does not exist naturally since it easily combines with other elements.
Hydrogen is mainly chemically bound in water, biomass or fossil fuels. In order to get hydrogen into a useful
form, it must be extracted from one of these substances. This process requires energy. Accordingly, the
cleanliness and renewability of this energy is of critical importance. While hydrogen fuel cells operate
without producing emissions, making hydrogen can produce significant greenhouse gases and other harmful
byproducts. Nevertheless, once obtained, hydrogen is a nearly ideal energy carrier.
There exist various ways for hydrogen processing which are briefly described below although
hydrogen from biomass is focused in this handbook:
Electrolysis : Water electrolysis involves passing an electric current through H
2
O to separate it into hydrogen
(H
2
) and oxygen (O
2
). Hydrogen gas rises from the negative cathode and oxygen gas collects at the positive
anode. Electrolysis produces extremely pure hydrogen, but a large amount of electricity is required. Ideally,
this would come from renewable sources like wind and photovoltaic.
Steam-Methane Reformation : Hydrogen can be reformed from natural gas by a two-step process at
temperatures reaching 1100 °C in the presence of a catalyst. This is a relatively efficient and inexpensive
process, especially in case of cogeneration.
Photoelectrolysis : Photoelectrolysis uses sunlight to split water into its components via a semi-conducting
material. It is roughly like immersing a photovoltaic cell in water, whereby the incoming light stimulates the
semiconductor to split H
2
O directly into its constituent gases. Though promising, this is still an experimental
method of hydrogen production that has not evolved beyond the laboratory.