EERC Demonstrates Hydrogen Production at Ethanol Facilities - 2/16/07

The Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) at the University of North Dakota is leading a project to demonstrate the production of hydrogen at existing and future ethanol facilities in a economical, unique way, providing a near-term path toward a hydrogen economy. The hydrogen produced could be used on-site in fuel cells to provide additional power for the plant or as fuel for hydrogen vehicles.

“Hydrogen production integrated with an ethanol facility will provide an important source of renewable energy for both stationary and transportation fuel cell applications in a hydrogen-based economy,” said Chad Wocken, EERC research manager. “This technology will help facilitate regional and national growth in hydrogen utilization.”

Under the multi-year contract, the EERC's Centers for Renewable Energy and Biomass Utilization are testing the technical feasibility of integrating hydrogen production with ethanol production. Activities include demonstrating utilization of the produced hydrogen for power generation, optimizing the ethanol-reforming process, optimizing the design for future ethanol plants, and conducting a full economic evaluation of the technology.

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