BIOH2, a technology capable to generate hydrogen from waste water.

The second phase of the AEI project called “BIOH2” has been completed. This project proposes a system for the generation of biological green hydrogen using organic matter from wastewater as a substrate.

Project description: BIOH₂

The first phase of the BIOH2 project was developed from December 2021 to August 2022. It was executed within the AEIs (Innovative Business Groupings) program of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism, with funds from the European Union-Next Generation EU (Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Mechanism).

After the good results achieved in this first phase, the consortium formed by the Aragonese companies Ingeobras (Inngen.io), DAB Technology and Rivi Technical Group were beneficiaries of a second phase of the BIOH2 project.

From September 2022 to April 2023, we have been working on the optimization of the evaluation of the enzymatic route of the process, as well as on the development of the biological hydrogen generation process and the energetic use of the hydrogen produced for self-consumption.

DAB Biotechnology has led the development of the bacterial pools and assays necessary for the study of this route.

INGEOBRAS has optimized the biological hydrogen generation process with tests and trials on larger biofilters. A 20-liter bioreactor was started up and a scaling to a 200-liter prototype, monitoring key parameters at all times and analyzing the results to determine the optimal working conditions.

In the same way, RIVI Technical Group has focused on digitization, compression and energy autonomous system. That is, it has focused on improving the purity of the hydrogen produced and increasing gas compression levels. It has also managed to incorporate a remote control system through an online application to review the process of self-management of consumption.

Project results

Thanks to the realization of this project, it has been possible to create an economical and modular system capable of generating biological green hydrogen from industrial wastewater.

In this second phase, the detailed study of the hydrogen generation process has been fundamental. Acquiring the technical knowledge of this technology, studied from its origin in the laboratory to larger scale tests, has allowed the system to be optimized to achieve a purity of the hydrogen obtained of more than 70%. Similarly, bacterial specialization and selection has been achieved, allowing higher hydrogen production yields.

From the economic point of view, the operating and investment costs of the process have been reduced. Hydraulic retention time (HRT) is significantly lower than traditional solutions, going from 21-31 days to 3-4 days with the BIOH2 system.

BIOH2 technology integrates specific bacterial pools and fast anoxic processes, all of which allows the size of the biodigester to be smaller and the associated costs to be significantly reduced..

The great advantage of this system, in addition to the valorization of a waste (wastewater) to a valuable resource (green hydrogen), is the output water after treatment. It has been possible to optimize the water after treatment to obtain a more easily biodegradable water, perfect for generating methane at a later stage.

In addition to perfecting the technology process, we have also worked on the digitalization of the equipment manufactured. It has been possible to monitor and incorporate a remote control system through an online application to review the process of self-management of consumption.

BIOH2 project partners

The project is carried out by a multidisciplinary team made up of three SMEs with complementary areas of experience and knowledge:

• DAB Biotecnología: Formulation and selection of specialized bacterial cultures
• INGEOBRAS (Inngen.io): Development and optimization of the biological hydrogen production process..
• RIVI Technical Group: Storage and digital control of produced gas.

In addition, ZINNAE, the Cluster Association for the Efficient Use of Water, is in charge of coordinating the project.

Project funding

This project has received a grant under the support program for Innovative Business Groups (AEIs) of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism. Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan – Funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU.