IIT-BHU generates on-site electricity from hydrogen
VARANASI: A team of researchers in the department of chemical engineering and technology, IITBHU, have developed a prototype based on the membrane reformer technique for producing ultra-pure hydrogen from methanol. This developed prototype will be the first of its kind in India and no such commercial units are available worldwide. The prototype generates one kilowatt power from 13 litres of hydrogen, claimed IIT-BHU in a press statement.
Rajesh Kumar Upadhyay, associate professor in the department of chemical engineering and technology of the IIT-BHU, said that this prototype will significantly reduce fossil fuel usage, and consequently, the carbon footprint. Due to the compact unit, it can be used for on-site or on-demand ultra-pure hydrogen production. This technology allows isolation of 99.99% pure hydrogen from methanol.
Upadhyay said, “A mere 15 ml of methanol per minute is sent to the reformer unit from which 13 litres of hydrogen is isolated per minute. This hydrogen is 99.99 % pure. We have also succeeded in producing 1 kW of power by integrating the same prototype with a hydrogen fuel cell. It can be used to power mobile towers and be a better choice in place of diesel-based generators. This unit will reduce storage and transportation safety hazards associated with hydrogen energy.”
May be used to charge electric vehicle
The developed prototype can also be used to charge an electric vehicle. IIT(BHU) researchers are working in the field of mobile electric vehicle chargers where the developed prototype can be installed in a mobile van that can be integrated with a hydrogen fuel cell to generate electricity and be used for charging. The user of an electric vehicle can use an app-based module to use the charging facility while at office or at home. This will not only save the time of the user but will also reduce the queue at charging stations.
Upadhyay said that this unit can prove effective for a hydrogen-based car. Such units can be installed at petrol pumps to generate the necessary hydrogen. The technology will reduce the load on the grid and promote the use of hydrogen.
The current project for the design of a kilowatt prototype is funded by the department of science and technology, government of India. The entire unit is manufactured in India and all important components such as methanol-reforming catalysts and hydrogen-selective membranes are synthesised at the chemical engineering lab of the Institute.
Pramod Kumar Jain, director, IIT(BwHU), said that the prototype unit based on the membrane reformer technology also promotes the initiatives of the Prime Minister for ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atamnirbhar Bharat’. IIT(BHU) is set to play an important role in the government’s National Hydrogen Mission.
The Institute is one of the leading institutes working on all aspects of hydrogen energy and now to establish a centre of excellence in the institute to accommodate the production and utilisation of hydrogen energy for useful applications especially in the transport sector.
What is hydrogen? Hydrogen is the lightest element and possesses almost the highest energy-to-weight ratio of the energy content of gasoline and diesel.
This not only reduces dependence on fossil fuels, but is also known as a clean-efficient energy carrier.
As an automotive fuel, burning of hydrogen in an internal combustion engine produces NOx and reduces power output, especially due to the low density of hydrogen. However, if converted to electrical energy using a fuel cell, the efficiency increases by 30%.
It facilitates power generation without increasing the excess CO2 in the environment. However, the major challenge in the commercialisation of hydrogen energy is to develop efficient methods of production, separation, transport, storage and use of hydrogen.