Researchers at the University of Johannesburg have simulated a groundbreaking process to produce green hydrogen from sugarcane waste, offering a cleaner and more energy-efficient alternative to conventional biomass gasification. The method — known as Sorption-Enhanced Chemical Looping Gasification (SECLG)—shows significantly lower emissions and higher hydrogen yields in lab-scale simulations.

The study, led by Professor Bilainu Oboirien and Master’s student Lebohang Gerald Motsoeneng, uses bagasse (crushed sugar cane residue) to generate hydrogen-rich syngas with far less tar, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen than current methods. Simulation results estimate a hydrogen yield of up to 69%—almost double that of conventional approaches.

Compared to traditional gasification, which releases large amounts of tar and CO₂, the SECLG process can capture carbon internally and may reduce operational costs by minimizing the need for cleanup systems.

While the research is still at the modelling stage, the team is now working to validate the findings through lab-scale experiments. Researchers hope that with further investment and industry collaboration, the SECLG method could play a key role in decarbonizing sectors like steel and cement.

Source:

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1090878