Hydrogen has emerged as a promising clean energy source, with applications in various hard-to-abate sectors such as transport, shipping, cement, and steel. The currently adopted hydrogen production processes, however, are carbon-intensive. Hydrogen production, catalytic methane decomposition (CMD), has gained much attention as a low-carbon pathway, because it produces solid carbon instead of CO_Xgases, thereby reducing emissions. Moreover, waste biomass streams, such as agricultural residues and municipal waste, can be used as biomethane feedstock, offering further environmental benefits. The waste biomass undergoes anaerobic digestion to produce biogas, which primarily contains methane (50–75 vol%) and carbon dioxide (25–50 vol%). Other minor impurities, such as nitrogen and hydrogen sulphide, are also present, so biogas upgrading and purification are required.

This project focuses on biogas sourcing and upgrading, selecting the best-suited feedstock within a South African context and the necessary upgrading processes. Furthermore, experimental CMD tests will be conducted to optimize the catalyst design for CMD. Stakeholder engagement is taking place with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to ensure that the process design is compatible with existing South African biogas infrastructure. Thermal modelling of the CMD process will also be conducted, such that sustainable heat sources can be identified and heat recovery maximized. Lastly, an optimal hydrogen purification process will be selected to ensure that the hydrogen produced satisfies stringent hydrogen fuel standards.