Hydrogen is the anticipated energy carrier of the future. The hydrogen economy faces some challenges in developing complete hydrogen systems, from production through utilization. In order for hydrogen to serve as the fuel source for fuel cells, turbines, and internal combustion engines, significant technology and infrastructure development are needed.
The EERC is home to the National Center for Hydrogen Technology (NCHT). The NCHT has a long history of developing, testing, and integrating modular technologies for the production and utilization of hydrogen. The EERC has unique, world-class experience in the production of hydrogen from both fossil and renewable fuels, gas separation and purification through conventional and advanced methods, development of on-demand hydrogen fueling systems, and utilization of hydrogen via direct combustion and in fuel cells.
Areas of EERC Expertise
- Producing clean hydrogen from renewable resources
- Economic hydrogen production at ethanol plants
- Fuel cell development
- Integration of hydrogen production and fuel cells
- Demonstrating the production of hydrogen from wind power
- Hydrogen production from renewable fuels
Hydrogen Production at an Ethanol Plant
Low-cost hydrogen production at conventional ethanol plants is being researched using a process that reforms wet, undenatured ethanol. The process produces ethanol by interrupting the ethanol process stream before significant water separation occurs, using a high-pressure reforming process. Great savings in efficiency points and costs are realized with this hydrogen production technology by avoiding expensive compression and water removal. This work on lower-cost hydrogen is being done with Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company based in Benson, Minnesota.
