Biohydrogen can be obtained through the so-called photolysis, a water splitting process using the energy of light irradiation, like it is known from plants during photosynthesis. The production of hydrogen can be divided into biological and photoelectrochemical processes.

In the biological production of hydrogen bacteria are used to split water into oxygen and hydrogen under light irradiation. Beside this process some types bacteria are also able to produce hydrogen through fermentation of sugars. Both possibilities are currently under examination in experimental plants.

For photoelectrochemical hydrogen production a process is used, which generates power using photovoltaics which is further used for water splitting.

Links

Hydrogen Center Austria