Ferrada, F., Babonneau, F., Homem-de-Mello, T., & Jalil-Vega, F. (2023). The role of hydrogen for deep decarbonization of energy systems: A Chilean case study. Energy Policy, 177, 113536.
Abstract: In this paper we implement a long-term multi-sectoral energy planning model to evaluate the role of green hydrogen in the energy mix of Chile, a country with a high renewable potential, under stringent emission reduction objectives in 2050. Our results show that green hydrogen is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly route especially for hard-to-abate sectors, such as interprovincial and freight transport. They also suggest a strong synergy of hydrogen with electricity generation from renewable sources. Our numerical simulations show that Chile should (i) start immediately to develop hydrogen production through electrolyzers all along the country, (ii) keep investing in wind and solar generation capacities ensuring a low cost hydrogen production and reinforce the power transmission grid to allow nodal hydrogen production, (iii) foster the use of electric mobility for cars and local buses and of hydrogen for long-haul trucks and interprovincial buses and, (iv) develop seasonal hydrogen storage and hydrogen cells to be exploited for electricity supply, especially for the most stringent emission reduction objectives.
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Gacitua, M. A., Gonzalez, B., Majone, M., & Aulenta, F. (2014). Boosting the electrocatalytic activity of Desulfovibrio paquesii biocathodes with magnetite nanoparticles. Int. J. Hydrog. Energy, 39(27), 14540–14545.
Abstract: The production of reduced value-added chemicals and fuels using microorganisms as cheap cathodic electrocatalysts is recently attracting considerable attention. A robust and sustainable production is, however, still greatly hampered by a poor understanding of electron transfer mechanisms to microorganisms and the lack of strategies to improve and manipulate thereof. Here, we investigated the use of electrically-conductive magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles to improve the electrocatalytic activity of a H-2-producing Desulfovibrio paquesii biocathode. Microbial biocathodes supplemented with a suspension of nanoparticles displayed increased H-2 production rates and enhanced stability compared to unamended ones. Cyclic voltammetry confirmed that Faradaic currents involved in microbially-catalyzed H-2 evolution were enhanced by the addition of the nanoparticles. Possibly, nanoparticles improve the extracellular electron path to the microorganisms by creating composite networks comprising of mineral particles and microbial cells. Copyright (C) 2014, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Lagos, M., Caceres, C. W., & Lardies, M. A. (2014). Geographic variation in acid- base balance of the intertidal crustacean Cyclograpsus cinereus ( Decapoda, Grapsidae) during air exposure. J. Mar. Biol. Assoc. U.K., 94(1), 159–165.
Abstract: In intertidal poikilotherms with wide geographic distribution, physiological variations are ubiquitous, due to phenotypic plasticity and/or individual geographic variation. Using the grapsid crab, Cyclograpsus cinereus as a study model, acclimatization differences in respiratory physiology were evaluated among populations along the Chilean coast, covering a latitudinal gradient of about 2000km. This species inhabits the supratidal zones and, therefore, is subject to constant immersion and emersion periods, producing physiological acidification due to CO2 retention, mainly in the branchial cavity. Individuals of six populations were collected along the coastline of Chile and were exposed to air for different time periods in the laboratory. The following parameters were measured: pH, Ca2+, Cl- and haemolymphatic lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) enzyme activity. Populations from lower latitudes were significantly different from those from central and southern Chile, with a higher haemolymphatic pH variation and higher Ca2+ level, along with lower levels of Cl- and LDH enzyme activity. This indicates that the populations from lower latitudes, which are subject to higher air temperatures during emersion, have a higher homeostatic capacity during emersion periods than those of intermediate and higher latitudes. This response seems to be determined by genetic bases due to adaptation to the local environment.
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Ramirez-Morales, J. E., Tapia-Venegas, E., Campos, J. L., & Ruiz-Filippi, G. (2019). Operational behavior of a hydrogen extractive membrane bioreactor (HEMB) during mixed culture acidogenic fermentation. Int. J. Hydrog. Energy, 44(47), 25565–25574.
Abstract: Fermentative hydrogen production requires a continuous products-removal and effective upgrading steps to improve its general performance. Therefore, implementation of new technologies capable of achieving both requirements is essential. We present the operational behavior of a new process concept based on integration of membranes for gas separation and fermentation technology. This process, which we term as hydrogen extractive membrane bioreactor consists of coupling two dense polymeric membranes to a hydrogen producing culture. The process automatization of this system was essential to maintain the proper operational pressures in the membrane module and in the bioreactorgas-phase. This system was able to extract and partially separate the hydrogen and carbon dioxide generated. The hydrogen partial pressure was reduced from 55.5 to 49 KPa, which means an increase of hydrogen yield of 16.3% (1.1-1.28 mol-H-2/mol-glucose). Simultaneously, the implemented system generated a final hydrogen stream 13% (v/v) more concentrated than a conventional process. (C) 2019 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Wickham, D., Hawkes, A., & Jalil-Vega, F. (2021). Hydrogen supply chain optimisation for the transport sector-Focus on hydrogen purity and purification requirements. Appl. Energy, 305, 117740.
Abstract: This study presents a spatially-resolved optimisation model to assess cost optimal configurations of hydrogen supply chains for the transport sector up to 2050. The model includes hydrogen grades and separation/purification technologies, offering the possibility to assess the effects that hydrogen grades play in the development of cost-effective hydrogen supply chains, including the decisions to repurpose gas distribution networks or blending hydrogen into them. The model is implemented in a case study of Great Britain, for a set of decarbonisation and learning rate scenarios. A base case with a medium carbon price scenario shows that the total discounted cost of the hydrogen supply chain is significantly higher than shown in previous studies, largely due to the additional costs from purification/separation needed to meet hydrogen purity standards for transport applications. Furthermore, it was shown that producing hydrogen from steam methane reforming with carbon capture and storage; installing new transmission pipelines; repurposing the gas distribution network to supply 100% hydrogen; and purifying hydrogen with a pressure swing adsorption system locally at the refuelling station; is a cost optimal configuration for the given technoeconomic assumptions, providing hydrogen at 6.18 pound per kg at the pump. Purification technologies were found to contribute to 14% and 30% of total discounted investment and operation costs respectively, highlighting the importance of explicitly including them into hydrogen supply chain models for the transport sector.
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