Green Hydrogen production from wastewater – a new path to convert waste to energy

Hydrogen produced in a sustainable way has been pointed out as a key component in the transition to a fossil-free society.

An important part of the green production of hydrogen by electrolysis is the electrodes and the cost of the precious metals in their surface layers.

The use of ammonium-rich wastewaters in the process can also improve the sustainability of hydrogen production as it theoretically requires less energy than production based on clean water.

In our previous work, an electrolysis technology based on bimetallic catalyst of platinum-copper has been developed to produce hydrogen from ammonium present in municipal wastewater. We showed that wastewater can be purified at the same time as hydrogen can be produced.

Based on this proof-of-concept the aim of the proposed two-year research project is to achieve a stable bimetal electrolysis process for hydrogen production using various electrodes and utilizing ammonium in municipal wastewater.

Developed electrodes with different catalytic surface layers will be tested at the beginning of the project on synthetic wastewater. The project further aims for realistic tests with real municipal wastewater on a pilot scale. The project results will create the basis for robust and scalable ammonium-based hydrogen production.

This will also promote a sustainable hydrogen production economy and increase the catalyst and hydrogen production competence in Sweden.