Application of a Georeactor: Sustainable Hydrogen Generation Using Solar and Geothermal Energy Sources

Abstract

An innovative method for hydrogen generation by photocatalysis has been developed at Tohoku University, from hydrogen sulphide ions in aqueous solution, using solar energy technology. Sulphide ions, however, remain in the reacted solution during the engineered hydrogen generation process. In an efficient closed-loop hydrogen production system, reacted sulphide ions should ideally be converted into photocatalysis-active hydrogen sulphide ions. Our research programme indicates that the application of a geothermal energy “georeactor” (i.e., a kind of chemical reactor), coupled with solar energy technologies, may prove to be effective in optimising hydrogen generation. We argue that an “Earth conscious”, hydrogen (zero emission closed-loop) generation process, using sustainable natural systems (such as solar and/or geothermal resources) could prove to be an environmentally-friendly means of supplying hydrogen for future generations’ energy requirements.