Work

Hydrogen fuel production from sugarcane and its byproducts – a critical review

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The transition to a low‐carbon economy has intensified the search for sustainable hydrogen (H 2 ) production routes. Sugarcane and its byproducts, such as bagasse, molasses and vinasse, have emerged as promising feedstocks due to their ready availability and renewable nature. However, comprehensive evaluations of the efficiency, limitations, and optimization strategies of different H 2 production methods remain limited. This review systematically evaluates thermochemical (pyrolysis, gasification, and reforming), biological (dark fermentation and photofermentation), and hybrid approaches for hydrogen production from sugarcane biomass. The advantages and challenges of each technique are discussed, with a particular focus on process efficiency, catalyst development, and sustainability aspects. This review also highlights critical gaps in the literature, including the need for enhanced pretreatment strategies, more efficient microbial strains, and optimized biorefinery integration. By providing a comparative analysis of current methodologies and proposing future research directions, this study aims to guide technological advancements toward a more viable and scalable hydrogen production framework from sugarcane.

Source: Biofuels Bioproducts and Biorefining

DOI: 10.1002/bbb.70051

Authors: Jaqueline Calixto de Sousa, Tâmili Vitória Duarte de Souza, Elisiane Rocha Lufan Prado, Rafael Cardoso Rial

Institution: Instituto Federal de Educação Ciência e Tecnologia do Mato Grosso do Sul

Language: English

Topic: Biofuel production and bioconversion

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Responsible consumption and production, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Climate action, Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,530