The Linde Group says German testing and certification organization TUV SUD has certified the process by which Linde creates hydrogen from biodiesel byproducts. This hydrogen, which is produced at Linde's pilot facility in Leuna, Germany, is used in fuel cells for transportation applications.
To create the hydrogen, Linde uses a ‘pyroreforming’ process and raw glycerine – which has a high hydrogen content – as the feedstock. The glycerine is recovered as a byproduct from a biodiesel manufacturing process, so it can be processed cost-effectively without compromising food supplies.
‘For the first time, we now have a certified source of green hydrogen to power zero-emissions fuel-cell cars,’ says Dr. Andreas Opfermann, head of clean energy and innovation management at Linde. ‘Working with our research partners, we will be exploring other feedstocks and technologies to produce sustainable hydrogen on an even broader scale.’
Linde uses its proprietary traiLH2gas mobile station to refuel fuel-cell vehicles through the Clean Energy Partnership (CEP) – a consortium of automakers such as GM/Opel, Volkswagen, Honda and Toyota.
