The Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER) has taken a major step towards producing clean hydrogen with its new bioelectrochemical cell (BEC) technology. Led by Dr. Jwa Eunjin, the team has managed to overcome significant barriers in hydrogen generation processes, using microorganisms present in organic waste.
This innovation, which improves process efficiency, could pave the way for large-scale hydrogen production , essential for the global transition to a decarbonized economy.
About bioelectrochemical cells
Biogas generated through the decomposition of organic waste is a promising renewable source for hydrogen production, a key element in the transition to carbon neutrality. However, traditional methods of hydrogen production from biogas face obstacles such as high carbon dioxide emissions and intensive use of energy to maintain high temperatures.
Bioelectrochemical cell technology allows for a greener and more efficient solution, operating at low temperatures and generating significantly less carbon dioxide. Through a process where microorganisms break down organic waste, electrons and hydrogen ions are released, which combine to produce hydrogen gas, without the need for extreme conditions.
Zero-Gap Technology
One of the major innovations in this breakthrough is the introduction of Zero-Gap technology . This patented design improves the efficiency of bioelectrochemical cells by reducing the distance between the electrodes and the separator, decreasing electrical resistance. This approach improves the efficiency of the electrochemical reaction and facilitates the scalability of the process, which is essential for its implementation in large-scale hydrogen production.
The Zero-Gap design improves electron transfer, increasing hydrogen productivity by 1.2 times and electron yield by 1.8 times over conventional methods. This performance has been validated in pilot-scale tests, marking a crucial step towards commercializing this technology.
Next steps in clean hydrogen production
Efficient production of green hydrogen is one of the pillars for a sustainable energy transition. The bioelectrochemical cell developed by the KIER team could represent a key solution to meet the growing demand for clean hydrogen, used in data centers , electric vehicles and renewable energy systems . This technology also aligns with global efforts to achieve decarbonization goals.
The dr. Jwa Eunjin commented on the potential impact of technology:
This breakthrough not only solves environmental and economic challenges in Korea, but also represents a major breakthrough in clean hydrogen production. We hope that the commercialization of this technology will drive the transition to a more sustainable society.
The research team continues to fine-tune its production process and plans to expand the research to an industrial scale. With support from the National Research Foundation of Korea, the results of this technological development have been published in the journal Science of The Total Environment , reinforcing its potential impact on sustainable hydrogen production.
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Source and photo: KIER via EurekAlert
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