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A new way to make hydrogen from farm waste is better for the environment. It uses less energy and doesn’t create greenhouse gases. This process changes bioethanol into clean hydrogen and acetic acid. Most hydrogen is made from natural gas, which is not great for the planet. But this new method is different.
A team at the University of Cardiff has found a way to make hydrogen from bioethanol and water. They use a platinum and iridium catalyst. This process is good because it doesn’t make carbon dioxide. The team thinks this method can be used on a large scale and be profitable. They now need investors to start a demonstration plant.
Hydrogen is important for industries like steel and transportation to become greener. Even though the process also creates acetic acid, the amount of hydrogen made is not enough to meet the world’s needs for clean energy. Still, this new method can help make the chemicals industry more eco-friendly.
Vocabulary List:
- Hydrogen /ˈhaɪ.drə.dʒən/ (noun): A chemical element (symbol H) that is a colorless odorless gas and is the lightest of all gases.
- Bioethanol /baɪ.oʊˈɛθ.ə.nɔl/ (noun): A type of biofuel that is produced from plant materials.
- Catalyst /ˈkæt.əl.ɪst/ (noun): A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without undergoing any permanent chemical change.
- Greenhouse gases /ˈɡriːn.haʊs ˈɡæs.ɪz/ (noun): Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming.
- Acetic acid /əˈsiː.tɪk ˈæs.ɪd/ (noun): A colorless organic compound with a pungent smell commonly used in cooking and as a chemical reagent.
- Eco-friendly /ˌiː.koʊˈfrɛnd.li/ (adjective): Not harmful to the environment; promoting a sustainable or environmentally friendly practice.
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