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Missouri S&T Converts
Crude Beer into Hydrogen
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| Missouri S&T |
| MST H2 Process System Panoramic View. |
Missouri University
of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) recently announced a novel and
robust process for converting ethanol into hydrogen—E-H2 technology. This new
process, developed by Missouri S&T's National
University Transportation
Center, uses bio-based feedstock,
specifically crude beer derived from agricultural ethanol, to produce hydrogen
for fuel cells and power generation applications as well as transportation
fuel. This research supports the transition of our nation's economy from one
dependent on fossil fuels to one based upon renewable hydrogen.
The E-H2 process has several distinct advantages over existing
technologies. It is a compact, energy-efficient process that eliminates the
costly and energy intensive steps needed to produce ethanol, and it has the
potential to improve safety by substantially reducing the need to distribute
and transport dangerous flammable and corrosive chemicals.
In addition, ethanol boosts the economic development of
agricultural communities, adds value to agricultural products, helps clean
America
's
air, and strengthens national security by moving
America
toward energy independence. Hydrogen has a high energy content by mass, burns
cleanly, is abundantly available in compound forms, and is also renewable. By
using a bio-based feedstock, more specifically agricultural ethanol and its
crude beer, to produce hydrogen, the E-H2 process provides a direct link
between the ethanol economy and the hydrogen economy.
The DOT grant supporting this research was awarded to the National
University Transportation
Center at the Missouri University
of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T), where John Myers, Ph.D.
(jmyers@mst.edu), is the interim director. The principal investigator for this
project is Sunggyu Lee, Ph.D. (Leesu@mst.edu), of the
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Missouri S&T in Rolla,
Missouri.
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