Hydrogen as an energy product from agriculturally produced sugars and starches in South Africa

Abstract

Bio-fuels have a significant role to play in the South African energy economy. They have a potential to impact positively on the quality of life of a large number of people while providing environmental gains geared at addressing environmental challenges such as global warming. Technologies to produce bio-fuels are well established and processes mature, however energy yields are low to modest in relation to land used. More efficient technologies, the so called ‘second generation bio-fuels technologies’ are being developed in response to this challenge. On a parallel track, research to enable the ‘hydrogen economy’ is also being stimulated. This dissertation investigates the potential transfer of a ‘second generation bio-fuel technology’ developed elsewhere into the South African industry. The technology of interest is called Aqueous Phase Reforming (APR) and it is claimed to provide an efficient route for hydrogen production from intermediate process sugar streams.