Hydrogen production and dispensing for NE US

Research Summary

Hydrogen, the first element in the periodic table, has shown significant potential as an effective alternative for the fossil fuel dominated transportation sector. The lack of available infrastructure for hydrogen dispensing, in combination with the challenges in clean-hydrogen production have been cited as the primary contributors for the rather lackluster acceptance of hydrogen fueled vehicles. This research effort thus focused on developing an implementation strategy for hydrogen infrastructure. The research is focused on the infrastructure development for northeastern US. Anaerobic digestion using organic feedstock combined with molten carbonate fuel cell is used for hydrogen production. A widespread search was performed to determine all available organic feedstock sources along major freeways of northeastern US. Additionally, the research also developed a design for a drop-in hydrogen dispensing system.

Outcomes

  1. Presented an infrastructure development strategy for supporting hydrogen fuel driven transportation sector along northeastern US

  2. Presented a thorough feedstock analysis with the identification of all organic feedstock sources along northeastern US

  3. Presented a design for a drop-in hydrogen dispensing station

  4. Research submitted for an international competition and considered as the best in the US

  5. Published five journal papers