Pecologix Political Ecology Blotter

A two-stage anaerobic digestion process intended for biohydrogen and bio-methane combined production from organic fraction of municipal solid wastes was investigated. In thermophilic conditions blocking of methanogenesis at the first stage of the anaerobic fermentation was achieved at pH 9.0. Cumulative hydrogen production made 82.5 l/kg volatile solids. Pretreatment of organic fraction of municipal solid wastes [...]

The study of the optoelectronic effects of plasmonic metal nanoparticles on semiconductors has led to compelling evidence for plasmon-enhanced water splitting. We review the relevant physics, device geometries, and research progress in this area. We focus on localized surface plasmons and their effects on semiconductors, particularly in terms of energy transfer, scattering, and hot electron [...]

In 2008, researchers discovered that genetically altered alga (C. reinhardtii) could produce hydrogen at an efficiency of 25%. This is far better than the 10% required to meet the $2.60/kg US-DOE goal (the energy content of  1kg of H is approximately equal to that of 1 gallon of gasoline). This result suggests that we have [...]

A desktop study has been performed to estimate the cost of biomass-to-fuel plants producing methanol, dimethylether (DME) or hydrogen. Two different designs have been distinguished. One design based on the technology of today and one design based on the technology of tomorrow. The investment costs of the near-future design are lower, but the yearly running [...]

There is a tremendous source of entropic energy available from the salinity difference between river water and seawater, but this energy has yet to be efficiently captured and stored. Here we demonstrate that H2 can be produced in a single process by capturing the salinity driven energy along with organic matter degradation using exoelectrogenic bacteria. [...]

It is quite well-known that refineries are producing huge amount of H2S which has been used to produce sulphur and water using the well-known Claus process. This process is not an economically viable process, due to the high-cost chemical process and creates further acute environmental problems. Therefore, we have demonstrated the conversion of poisonous H2S [...]

Hydrogen production by water splitting is a holy grail of science, being one route to a non-fossil fuel and a potential source of clean energy. It is essential to use a non-polluting energy source to drive the reaction and one way is to utilise sunlight energy, combined with a way to overcome the kinetic limitations [...]