IIT Roorkee transfers waste-to-hydrogen technology for industrial use

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee has transferred its newly developed waste-to-hydrogen technology to Infinate Integrated Energy Technologies, marking a significant milestone in advancing clean energy solutions from organic liquid waste. IIT Roorkee aims to turn cutting-edge research into viable industrial applications.

Developed by Prof. Narapureddy Siva Mohan Reddy, the system uses a continuous catalytic hydrothermal gasification process to convert organic liquid waste into hydrogen-rich gas. This approach not only provides an efficient method for waste management but also enables hydrogen recovery at scale, offering industries a way to transform waste streams into valuable clean energy.

IIT Roorkee says that the technology is designed for scalability and can be integrated into large-scale industrial operations, particularly in sectors that generate organic effluents. By converting waste into hydrogen fuel, the solution supports India’s broader goals of reducing carbon emissions, strengthening renewable energy adoption and promoting a circular economy.

Infinate Integrated Energy Technologies LLP will now focus on deploying the technology across commercial applications. Welcoming the partnership, CEO Ramchandra Raju Dantuluri states that his firm’s goal is to take this innovation from the laboratory to industry help bolster India to a hydrogen-based economy.

IIT Roorkee officials say that they believe in advancing technologies that create real-world impact. This waste-to-hydrogen innovation demonstrates how their research addresses critical challenges in clean energy and waste management.

Infinate Integrated Energy Technologies, which focuses on renewable energy, waste valorisation and hydrogen production, expects the collaboration to accelerate the adoption of efficient waste-to-energy systems. Both partners anticipate that the initiative will contribute to cleaner industrial practices and support India’s transition to sustainable energy solutions.

IIT on Forefront of Green Hydrogen Development

The IITs in India are striving to take the green hydrogen development to a higher level. In May 2023, IIT Roorkee itself introduced two Green Hydrogen labs under the vision of Prof KK Pant, Director.

Recently, IIT Madras has developed an indigenous, low-cost alkaline seawater electrolyser capable of producing green hydrogen without the use of rare or expensive metals addressing two major challenges in hydrogen production: high costs of current electrolysers and the growing scarcity of freshwater.

IIT Madras has also collaborated with Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) and the Government of Tamil Nadu to establish ‘Hyundai HTWO Innovation Centre’ —a state-of-the-art 65,000 sq ft research and development facility dedicated to green hydrogen technologies.