Renewable hydrogen production perspective in Serbia via biogas generated from food processing wastewaters

Renewable hydrogen produced from the waste streams can be a good option for clean energy production and reduction of greenhouse gases emissions into the environment. In this study, the potential for hydrogen production from the food industry wastewaters in Serbia and the further use of the calculated potentials were investigated. This was performed through two technological routes including the biogas steam reforming process and the electrolysis after biogas cogeneration process. Furthermore, the environmental impacts of these processes were considered. The total hydrogen potential via the biogas steam reforming process was 4094.70 tons, while the total hydrogen potential via the electrolysis after biogas cogeneration process was 1751.08 tons. These potentials can be used for direct energy production in the food industry, electricity production for the national electric grid, transport, injection in the natural gas grid and/or as a resource in the chemical industry. Regarding the Greenhouse Gas emissions reduction, hydrogen production by both routes represents a promising pathway. The results of this work can serve the decision makers to plan hydrogen application in the energy sector of the Republic of Serbia defining supporting measures for its application. Also, the presented analysis is enforceable in the Western Balkan countries for the application of hydrogen as an energy source in their systems for energy production, transport and economy.

Automated summary

This study examines the potential for hydrogen production from food industry wastewaters and investigates the environmental impacts of the processes. The results show that using wastewater for hydrogen production has wide-ranging applications in energy production, electricity generation, transportation, and the chemical industry.