Pune: Researchers at the Green Hydrogen Research Centre of MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU) have developed a carbon-negative process that generates both BioCNG and Green Hydrogen from mixed agricultural waste, reports The Indian Express.
Dr. Ratnadip Joshi, associate director of the centre, said the breakthrough differs from other efforts that depend on a single feedstock like paddy straw or napier grass. “Our research shows success with mixed agro waste, including millet trash and seasonal crop residues. This is especially effective in regions facing drought and low rainfall,” he said.
The team has created a bio-culture achieving a biomass-to-gas conversion efficiency of 12%, nearly double that of older methods which managed only 5–7%. A 500 kg/day pilot plant, backed by four granted patents, has been set up on the MIT-WPU campus. The biogas produced has a high methane content, which is further processed into green hydrogen through catalytic pyrolysis.
Dr. Joshi noted that the work supports India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat mission, the LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative, and the National Green Hydrogen Mission that targets 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen production annually by 2030.
The idea grew out of discussions on climate change and its impacts, such as erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, and frequent cyclones, as well as concerns from farmers about managing crop waste.
Aniket Patrikar, a PhD scholar at MIT-WPU, said the team used a plant-derived pyrolysis catalyst to produce hydrogen without emitting carbon dioxide. “This eliminates the need for costly carbon capture systems. The process also yields Biochar, a useful byproduct for industries ranging from pharmaceuticals and cosmetics to fertilizers and construction,” he explained.
