Simultaneous Electricity and Hydrogen Production with Greenhouse Gas Reduction

by Tuğçe Akca Güler | Dec 11, 2024
Funding Agency: YAP_MGA-2024-45321

Project CoordinatorProf. Dr. Mahmut Altınbaş (Istanbul Technical University)

Investigators:
Assist. Prof. Dr. Türker Türken (Istanbul Technical University)
Assist. Prof. Dr. Ece Polat (Istanbul Technical University)
Assist. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Sadık Akca (Istanbul Technical University)
Res. Assist. Gamze Ceylan Perver (Istanbul Technical University)
Res. Assist. Ali Tamer Çetinkaya (Istanbul Technical University)
Res. Assist. Simge Sertgümeç (Istanbul Technical University)
Lecturer Dr. Hülya Ünver (Istanbul Technical University)

Global warming and climate change are caused by greenhouse gas emissions originating from fossil fuels. This situation leads to environmental issues and changes in the climate. In this context, hydrogen energy emerges as an alternative energy source with the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Among the various renewable energy sources discovered to replace fossil fuels, hydrogen has garnered attention for its environmentally friendly production technology and high energy content. As a clean fuel, hydrogen produces only water and energy during combustion, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, it is considered a cleaner energy source than fossil fuels. Based on its environmental and economic values, developing and promoting hydrogen-based systems on a pilot scale is essential. In this project, a microalgae-activated sludge or microalgae-bacteria culture with high hydrogen production potential will first be developed. Adaptation stress (nitrogen and/or sulfur deficiency) will be applied to enhance the synthesis of hydrogenase and nitrogenase enzymes in this culture. The developed culture will be tested initially in laboratory and real-scale systems. Additionally, a dark fermentation reactor will be set up for biohydrogen production. For real-scale studies, the liquid portion exiting this reactor will be fed into channel-type photobioreactors (ct-PBRs) with or without pre-treatment involving membranes. Balloons will be added to the ct-PBRs to examine hydrogen production. Finally, the microbial biomass obtained will be evaluated for its potential applications as biofertilizer and dye raw material. The flow diagram of the proposed system is shown below.

Figure. Flow diagram of the proposed system

İTÜ Faculty of Civil Engineering

ins-anasayfa

It can be accepted that the history of ITU Civil Engineering Faculty was commenced in 1727 by the establishment of Humbarahane during the era of Damat İbrahim Paşa. However, this attempt was to no avail due to the martyrization of the studwents of this school by the Janissaries.


In 1734, during the grand viziership of Topal Osman Paşa, classes related to Civil Engineering was being taught in Hendesehane, which was founded in Üsküdar. Similarly, this school was also closed after three years due to the opposition of the Janissaries. The reasons of the tragedy that occured in Battle of Chesma, 1770 were inadequacy of the ships and the ignorance of the Ottoman Navy.


Although the Atlantic Map (1513) and the Map of Europe and the Mediterranean Sea (1523) by Piri Reis were the leading pieces of the era, Ottoman viziers were so ignorant that they claimed it was impossible for the Russian Baltic Fleet to reach the Mediterranean Sea assuming that there were no sea connection. With the proposal from Gazi Hasan Paşa and Baron de Tott, Mühendishane-i Bahri-i Humayun was established during the time of Sultan Mustafa III, aiming to train naval construction engineers. Since Ottoman Empire did not have any engineering schools at the time, military engineering classes were taught by French engineers beginning from 1784. French lecturers had to return to their country in 1788 with the increasing suppression from Austria and Russia, which were unwilling for the development and thriving of Ottoman Empire. In 1759, during the Grand Viziership of Koca Ragıp Paşa, Humbarahane was reopened in Karaağaç, Haliç (Golden Horn) and continued to teach even though it was incompetent. In 1792, Lağımcı Ocağı and Humbaracı Ocağı (Guild of Sappers) were established.