Hydrogen generation by thermal decomposition of cellulose or polyethylene using preliminary mechanochemical treatment

Hydrogen has been expected to increase its future use, due to its utilization in fuel cells. It is therefore highly desirable to develop new techniques for the production of hydrogen. We have successfully developed a highly efficient way for generating H₂ through dry grinding cellulose based biomass and/or polymers such as polyethylene, followed by its heating around 400°C. This process can be applied to waste wood tips and other wastes containing cellulose in a biomass and C-H components including polymers. Currently we investigate the mechanism of gases generation and the optimization in milling operation to obtain pure H₂. Large quantities of hydrogen gas generation may become possible by applying this process to waste wood tips as well as other polymer wastes containing C-H bonds.