In a major advancement for sustainable energy, researchers at IIT Indore developed a catalyst that enables the production of purified hydrogen from methanol at significantly lower temperatures than current techniques.
The breakthrough promises to make hydrogen production more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly, which could greatly enhance global efforts to adopt clean energy. Hydrogen is increasingly being viewed as a vital alternative to fossil fuels in the shift towards sustainable energy. However, traditional methods of hydrogen production require high temperatures, which increase energy use and limit environmental advantages.
Led by Prof. Sanjay K. Singh from the department of chemistry, alongside his PhD student Mahendra K. Awasthi, the IIT Indore team has designed a process that can generate purified hydrogen gas from methanol at temperatures below 130°C, compared to the conventional methods that need over 200°C.
This reduced temperature significantly cuts down energy consumption and operational expenses, making hydrogen production more feasible for both industrial and commercial applications.
The innovation has the potential to make a significant impact on the hydrogen economy, aligning with global initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. The technology, currently classified as Technology Readiness Level 4, has demonstrated its effectiveness under
real-world conditions and has been awarded a patent. The team is also in discussions with various industry partners to commercialize the technology.
Prof. Singh explained, “The catalyst can produce one kilogram of hydrogen from just thirteen litres of methanol. It distinguishes itself through its sustainability and cost-effectiveness. This process is set to revolutionize hydrogen production, potentially leading to widespread adoption of hydrogen as a clean energy source”.
The societal benefits of this technology are immense. By making hydrogen production more efficient, it supports the global transition to cleaner energy sources, decreases reliance on fossil fuels, and helps lower greenhouse gas emissions. Given the rising interest in methanol as a fuel blend (M30) in India, this method offers a sustainable alternative for using methanol in hydrogen production.
Notably, the purified hydrogen produced through this method can be used directly in fuel cells for power generation, without the need for further purification to remove CO2 – an often energy -intensive step in traditional processes.
As the world seeks solutions to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change, IIT Indore’s low-temperature, CO2-free hydrogen production technology offers a promising way forward. As reported by msn.com,with ongoing research aimed at further enhancing the technology and scaling it for industrial use, this innovation is well-positioned to play a pivotal role in the future of clean energy.
