The Fracture and Fatigue Mechanics Laboratory (LAMEFF) at the Federal University of Ceará (UFC) in Brazil has developed an environmentally sustainable technology for extracting green hydrogen. This new process utilizes membranes made from shrimp shells, providing an alternative energy source to traditional fossil fuels such as oil and coal, which contribute to global warming.

Development of the Chitosan Membrane

Physicist Santino Loruan, during his doctoral research at UFC’s Engineering and Material Sciences Program, pioneered the creation of a chitosan membrane designed specifically for use in electrolyzers. These electrolyzers are crucial for separating hydrogen molecules from oxygen in water (H2O). The resulting hydrogen can then be used as a versatile and clean combustible gas.

The chitosan membrane is derived from the abundant shrimp or crab shells found along the Brazilian coast, making it a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to synthetic membranes like naphtha. Unlike the nafion membrane, this chitosan-based option does not pose environmental hazards upon disposal, further enhancing its sustainability credentials.

Green Hydrogen from Solar Energy

The research utilized clean solar energy to power the electrolyzers, ensuring that the entire process remains environmentally sustainable. This method of hydrogen production is termed “green hydrogen” due to its renewable energy source. As Engineer Enio Pontes de Deus, coordinator of LAMEFF and advisor to Santino Loruan, explains, “Hydrogen inherently lacks color. It’s an inert, colorless gas, constituting the most abundant element in the atmosphere. Its ‘green’ designation arises from its derivation from a renewable source.”

The Federal University of Ceará has patented the chitosan membrane. According to Enio Pontes, “We’ve patented this membrane. Today, it stands as a product, representing national technology poised to enter the market and compete with other membrane technologies.”

International Recognition

The innovative membrane will be showcased at the upcoming International Conference on Renewable Energy Technologies (Citer), set to take place from June 3 to 5 in Teresina, Piauí state. This conference will feature 180 speakers from various countries across 45 panels, offering both face-to-face and remote participation options. Organizers expect 10,000 attendees, including entrepreneurs interested in potentially industrializing the UFC-developed membrane and other Brazilian innovations.

The conference aims to engage not only businesspeople and renewable energy experts but also lay individuals with an interest in science. Ana Paula Rodrigues, president of the Institute for International Cooperation on the Environment and one of the conference’s creators, emphasizes the importance of public access to scientific advancements. “We need to give the population access to scientific production, to help raise awareness of the importance of science and technology for the development of the country and for the development of humanity.” Admission to the conference is free.