EERC exploring hydrogen and ethanol co-production

The Energy and 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 unique, economical way.

The hydrogen produced could be used on-site in fuel cells to provide additional power for the plant or as fuel for hydrogen vehicles as a value-added product, the organization noted.

"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 multiyear contract, the EERC's Centers for Renewable Energy and Biomass Utilization are optimizing the ethanol-reforming process, demonstrating utilization of the produced hydrogen for power generation, optimizing the design for future ethanol plants and conducting a full economic evaluation of the technology.

The information gathered from these efforts will be used to better define system integration, energy input, and the operational conditions required to produce hydrogen at an ethanol facility, researchers said.

"Ultimately, numerous cost savings can be realized through integration of heat, power, and distillation systems within an ethanol plant," said Wocken. "Additionally, if coupled with a fuel cell, overall plant efficiency could be improved."

"The EERC's renewable energy programs are leading the nation in expanding the use of agriculture products and by-products for the production of electricity, heat, and fuels," said EERC Director Gerald Groenewold. "This program is focused not only on the ethanol industry, but also on the future energy path of the United States."

Project partners include the U.S. Department of Energy, the Minnesota Corn Research and Promotion Council, the North Dakota Corn Utilization Council, Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company, and H2Gen Innovations.