Biomass electrolysis is a novel process that can cost-effectively turn untreated biowaste into green hydrogen through two steps: (i) Thermal Digestion to abstract protons from biomass using a redox active catalyst at mild temperatures; (ii) Electrolysis of the reduced catalyst solution using a proton exchange membrane (PEM) flow cell to produce H2. This process has the potential to produce hydrogen of equivalent purity and pressure to state-of-the-art water electrolysis technology, with less than half the electrical energy input required. We have previously trialled the utilisation of biowaste from the Whisky distillery industry for this process [1] and aim to build a modular biomass electrolyser at the capacity of up to 1kW for processing liquid and/or solid biowaste. 

The PhD project will design, build and test a modular biomass electrolyser that integrates the separation and recirculation of acid catalysts for continuous operations, to be instrumented for measurements of the temporal evolution of the relevant quantities (i.e. hydrogen yield, cell voltages, temperature, pressure, catalyst usage/recycling, etc, plus uniquely, catalyst/redox mediator state of charge). Support from NMIS will contribute to design and prototyping of the electrolysis flow cell stack. The PhD project will also conduct process modelling to help optimise a scalable integrated design for continuous redox cycling of the catalyst with biomass input and output of products. 

[1] R. Price, L. MacDonald, N. Gillies, A. Day, E. Brightman, and J. Li, ‘Utilisation and valorisation of distillery whisky waste streams via biomass electrolysis: electrosynthesis of hydrogen’, Faraday Discuss, vol. 247, pp. 268–288, 2023, doi: 10.1039/D3FD00086A.

In addition to undertaking cutting edge research, you are also registered for the Postgraduate Certificate in Researcher Development (PGCert), which is a supplementary qualification that develops your skills, networks and career prospects.

• Chemical and Process Engineering
• PhD Chemical Engineering