Biocatalytic Production of Hydrogen for Rural Transportation: Pilot Studies

The U.S. economy currently depends on a transportation system which is heavily reliant upon the petroleum based internal combustion engine. Large bodies of evidence are being presented which indicate that efforts should be made to move toward more environmentally friendly and renewable energy sources. This project will address these issues by conducting research leading to the development of a biohydrogen reactor utilizing agricultural feedstocks native to South Carolina such as switchgrass and microbial digestion utilizing cow manure. This project will addresses the most fundamental problems of feedstock conversion including pre-treatment, micro-flora selection and optimization of important kinetic factors such as temperature, carbon loading, fatty acid concentration, pH, nutrients and hydrogen partial pressure. The goal is to produce hydrogen for rural transportation at a cost comparable to other transportation fuels. Research in this area would contribute significantly to the national security, environmental well being and economics of South Carolina, the nation and the world. This research was performed in the Center for Energy Studies at South Carolina State University and was supported by the James E. Clyburn University Transportation Center. The Center offers tremendous benefits to the University, surrounding institutions, the private sector, public schools, the state of South Carolina, and to nation.

• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Emily, Joe N
  • Mohammed, Nazimuddin
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 91st Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2012-1-22 to 2012-1-26
• Date: 2012

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 8p
• Monograph Title: TRB 91st Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers DVD

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Biomass fuels; Crops; Hydrogen fuels; Hydrogen production; Pilot studies; Rural transportation
• Geographic Terms: South Carolina
• Subject Areas: Energy; Highways; I15: Environment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01371334
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 12-4749
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: May 30 2012 3:00PM