Renewable Hydrogen Production from Agricultural Waste Streams: Organic-Assisted Water Electrolysis for Circular Resource Recovery

Summary

The transition to a low-carbon economy requires innovative technologies that produce renewable hydrogen while addressing challenges in agricultural waste management. Organic-assisted water electrolysis (OAWE) is an emerging alternative to conventional water electrolysis in which organic compounds are oxidised at the anode, reducing energy requirements for hydrogen production.

This PhD project will investigate the use of agricultural waste streams as feedstocks for OAWE. Particular focus will be placed on two representative waste streams: nitrogen-rich agricultural wastewaters containing urea and sugar-rich hydrolysates derived from lignocellulosic agricultural residues.

Agricultural residues are abundant sources of cellulose and hemicellulose that can be converted into fermentable sugar streams through pretreatment and hydrolysis, while livestock-derived wastewaters contain significant concentrations of nitrogen-containing compounds.

These streams represent promising but largely underexplored feedstocks for sustainable hydrogen production.

The successful candidate will conduct laboratory-scale electrolysis experiments to evaluate feedstock suitability, hydrogen production performance, and energy efficiency.

The most promising feedstock will subsequently be assessed in a semi-continuous electrolysis system to investigate operational stability and scale-up potential.

Experimental results will be used to perform techno-economic and environmental assessments to evaluate the feasibility of deploying OAWE within agricultural circular economy systems.

The project offers an exciting opportunity to work at the interface of electrochemistry, renewable hydrogen, agricultural waste valorisation, and sustainable energy systems. The outcomes will contribute to developing innovative pathways for converting agricultural waste streams into low-carbon hydrogen and support the transition to more sustainable agricultural and energy sectors.

B9 Energy Ltd

B9 Energy Ltd will provide support through its industrial expertise in hydrogen technologies, Power-to-X systems, renewable fuels, and low-carbon energy infrastructure. The company will provide guidance on the practical deployment of hydrogen technologies, share relevant knowledge and lessons learned from ongoing projects, and support the dissemination of research findings through its industry networks.

In addition, B9's Managing Director, David Surplus OBE, will participate in the supervisory team, providing strategic industrial input and ensuring alignment of the research with current developments in the hydrogen and low-carbon energy sectors.

B9 has committed an in-kind contribution equivalent to 8 days per year of senior industrial support, valued at £4,992 per year (including overheads). This contribution will help ensure that the development and assessment of organic-assisted water electrolysis (OAWE) for renewable hydrogen production from agricultural waste streams is informed by industry experience and real-world deployment considerations.

The partnership will strengthen the industrial relevance and impact of the project while supporting the translation of research outcomes into future low-carbon hydrogen value chains.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Research proposal of no more than 2000 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Department for the Economy (DfE)
• Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

PhD scholarships are available for this project to all applicants worldwide, regardless of residency or domicile, and will cover:

• Tuition fees.
• A maintenance allowance of approximately £22,000 (exact rate is to be confirmed) per annum for three years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.
• A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of approximately £900 per annum.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year, or part-time equivalent, funded from any source, including self-financing students, are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Students in full-time employment are not eligible for an award.

Part-time PhD scholarships may be available at a 0.5 pro rata rate of the full-time scholarship, which would require a six-year registration period.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.

The University will award a successful candidate one of the following scholarships for the project, depending on the funding available at the time an admissions offer is made:

1. Department for the Economy (DfE) PhD Scholarships
2. Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS)

Please note that the Terms and Conditions for scholarships are subject to change for 2027/28.