UAE Scientists Find a Way to Produce Hydrogen from Sand and Date Pits
Scientists at the United Arab Emirates University have developed a new environmentally friendly method for producing hydrogen. To create the required material, they used ordinary desert sand, biochar made from date pits, and nickel. The technology makes it possible to turn readily available natural resources and agricultural waste into a valuable source of clean energy.
To find the optimal formula, the researchers tested 30 different compositions. The most effective mixture consisted of 42.5% sand, 42.5% biochar, and 15% nickel. Adding biochar made from date pits significantly increased the porosity of the material and allowed the nickel to be evenly distributed across its surface, which enhanced the chemical activity of the entire composition.
Initial laboratory tests conducted at temperatures ranging from 500 to 600 °C confirmed the effectiveness of the material: it successfully breaks down methane to produce hydrogen. In the future, this technology could help reduce the cost of producing clean fuel while also addressing the problem of agricultural waste disposal.
At the next stage of the research, the team plans to assess the durability of the material and test its performance during long-term operation.
ORIENT
