Making [H.sub.2] from waste by gasification in supercritical water.(Chementator)

Researchers from Shizuoka University (Hamamatsu, Japan; edlinks.che.com/4819-542) have developed a one-step process for making hydrogen from biomass, such as black liquor from the pulp and paper industry, municipal garbage, paper sludge, and even pig excrement. The process takes place in supercritical water (SCW) and produces two to five times more [H.sub.2] than conventional reforming and gasification processes, says Takeshi Sako, professor at the Materials Engineering Course of Engineering Faculty.

To make [H.sub.2] from waste plastics, for example, normally requires a two-step process: first steam reforming at 600-850 [degrees]C under 5-20 bar pressure, followed by …