For Immediate Release
Shell breaks barrier. Worldwide effect on hydrogen, fertilizer and sequestered carbon.
August 31, 2002 -
Researchers using biomass from peanut shell ended a successful 100-hour
experiment to demonstrate hydrogen production. They announced a method to
sequester vast amounts of carbon while making fertilizer. This is one of the
largest biomass to hydrogen projects in the U.S.
The hydrogen research team broke through the 100-hour mark
and ended their demonstration of producing hydrogen from 50kg per hour of
biomass on August 30, 2002. The
team comprised of researchers from Clark Atlanta University, Georgia Institute
of Technology, DOE National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Scientific
Carbons, Inc. and Enviro-tech, Inc. began the experiment on August 25, 2002
producing hydrogen from biomass (peanut shells) as the culmination of a two-year
field research project. The project has focused on expanding the demonstration
of hydrogen production while producing valuable co-products from farm and
forestry sources of biomass. In this case the co-product also serves as a
long-term sequestered carbon. The need for co-products is essential to
developing a profitable and sustainable hydrogen economy.
On August 22, 2002, NREL and Scientific Carbons, Inc.(SCI), a
technology development company, filed for patent protection on a new slow
release fertilizer made while producing biomass based hydrogen and a sequestered
carbon. This product offers a
chance for the fertilizer and farm industry to become a significant carbon sink
while increasing farm income and crop yields. The use of the sequestered carbon as a carrier for nitrogen
and as a soil amendment, which can prevent harmful runoff of farm chemicals is a
win-win for farmers. Farmers and fertilizer manufacturers can become a major
force in the battle against global warming while facilitating a renewable
production of hydrogen. This work
combines efforts currently underway in both the USDA and DOE and provide a way
to reduce greenhouse gas buildup while producing the zero emissions fuel
hydrogen. Danny Day, President of
Scientific Carbons said, “The
preliminary numbers look promising. Only
a small percentage of the global unused agriculture and forestry waste would be
required to sequester the amount of carbon building up in our atmosphere and
deliver nitrogen to plants that can sequester even more. Using this technique,
farmers could be the most successful and economically profitable method of
sequestering all the excess atmospheric carbon generated. Economic development
can lead to innovative sequestration techniques and we want to help demonstrate
sustainable ways to serve mankind.”
SCI plans to continue its development work with NREL and is
also looking for industry partners and other teams to help in a coordinated
research and development strategy. It asked that interested parties send an
email with contact information or contact them through the website, as they are
building a notification list. “This scale of solution is one that can be
implemented globally and make a significant contribution to the planet’s
health. We want to quickly develop it as an effective and profitable addition
for sustainable agriculture and energy production.
Efforts of the USDA, DOE and private industry should be encouraged as a
part of the global collaborative of public-private efforts.” Mr. Day said.
“This work is good for the farm economy and ultimately for the common good of
all life.”
The image is of the hydrogen (47%) and methane (3%) flare in
blue vs the pyrolysis gas flare each over a meter in length.
For more
information:
Visit the
project website at
or Contact:
Danny Day
229-723-7454