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Dutch discovery: new way to gain hydrogen from waste water
Recently Dutch scientists connected to the University of Wageningen have discovered a new way to gain hydrogen from waste water more efficiently than was previously the case. The so-called biocatalyst electrolysis process does the trick.
Good hydrogen going to waste
René Rozendal took his doctoral degree (cum laude) with research into this new technology. In his thesis he concludes that in the long term it will be suitable to produce hydrogen on a large scale and with economic value.
In vain
Over the years many researchers have sought in vain for a method that efficiently derives hydrogen from waste water.
Rozendal developed the biocatalyst electrolysis process. This entails manipulating bacteria by adding a small electricity potential to the water, supporting the bacteria during the cleansing process. By adding the potential, the bacteria more effectively clean the water and in the process produce more hydrogen, making the output of energy larger than the input.
Financial support
The new method has been patented and has already received financial support for further research and development from companies like Shell and Magneto Chemie.
Read more (in Dutch)
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