This publication explores current and prospective methods for hydrogen production and purification, with a strong emphasis on membrane-based technologies for purification and separation. This focus is justified by the ongoing shift towards renewable energy sources (RESs) in electricity generation, necessitating strategic changes to increase hydrogen utilization, particularly in the automotive, heavy road, and rail sectors, by 2025–2030. The adoption of hydrogen from RESs in the construction, energy, and industrial sectors (e.g., for process heat or fertilizer production) is also under consideration, driving the need for innovative production, separation, and purification methods. Historically, industrial-scale hydrogen has been predominantly derived from fossil fuels, but renewable sources such as electrolysis, biological, and thermal processes now offer alternatives with varying production efficiencies (0.06–80%) and gas compositions. Therefore, selecting appropriate separation and purification methods is critical based on specific usage requirements and the gas composition. Industrial-scale hydrogen purification commonly employs pressure swing adsorption (PSA) technologies, capable of achieving up to 99.99% purity. Cryogenic distillation is suitable for applications needing up to 95% purity. Membrane technologies, including polymer, metallic, and electrolytic membranes, have traditionally been limited to moderate volumes of pure gas production but are crucial for hydrogen purification and separation. This publication critically evaluates the potential of membrane technology for hydrogen separation, particularly in response to the anticipated rise in demand for RES-derived hydrogen, including from renewable feedstocks.

This publication presents an analysis of the possibilities for home biogas production using an original method. The assumptions for a biogas-generating system and key principles for the methane fermentation process are outlined. Research on the methane fermentation of both kitchen waste and green waste was conducted using a methanogenic consortium. The studies allowed for the characterization of the microorganisms comprising the consortium, and tests confirmed the feasibility of conducting methane fermentation of both types of waste at both laboratory and technical scales, as well as estimating the biogas productivity of the substrates. Based on the research conducted at both scales, the range of conditions under which the biogas production process is possible was determined, with particular reference to temperature conditions and the pH of the leachate. The tests, primarily conducted at a technical scale, allowed for the definition and implementation of optimization measures that resulted in increased process efficiency at the technical scale. Among the main optimization measures were the use of sand as a phase to maintain an anaerobic zone at the start of the process, the use of wood ash to stabilize pH, and the use of substrates and water at room temperature.

In accordance with the EU Landfill Directive, by 2035, EU countries must reduce the amount of municipal waste sent to landfills to 10% or less of the total municipal waste generated. To achieve this, it is necessary to implement recycling measures, including composting organic waste. Another way to utilize organic waste generated in households is through anaerobic digestion, which produces biogas, a renewable energy source. Biogas production from biodegradable waste generated in households occurs in both industrial facilities and household biogas installations. Producing biogas in household installations offers the advantage of generating and using biogas at the same location where the waste is produced, reducing the need to transport bio-based materials to a storage site. This approach reduces costs and the environmental footprint associated with transporting waste to industrial facilities and subsequently transporting biogas to municipal (domestic) consumers. Although this solution appears optimal in many respects, the current technical and legal environment limits the development of the household biogas production market in EU countries. This article highlights the technical and legal aspects of safely using biogas from household installations (e.g., certification of gas equipment) and legal aspects (such as restrictions on the number of energy sources), which significantly limits the growth of this sector.

Measurement of methane emissions from leaks occurring on the territorially extensive network of transmission gas grid is a topical issue and highly desirable from the point of view of safety and reducing methane emissions into the atmosphere. Remote detection of methane is a problem whose technical solution is based on several types of optoelectronic devices, e.g. thermal imaging cameras with sets of optical filters, spectroradiometers, laser systems of the DIAL (DIfferential Absorption Lidar) type. On the other hand, the quantification of emission magnitudes is in most cases realized by spectoradiometric systems. This paper will present a method for analyzing hyperspectral data from an imaging Fourier infrared spectroradiometer. Measurements will be made on a purpose-built bench simulating methane emissions from a transmission network. Data obtained from ground level under different atmospheric conditions will be presented, together with the results of their analysis for different methane emissions.

This research paper presents a comprehensive study on measuring methane combustion products in industrial degassing flares, addressing critical environmental and regulatory compliance requirements in the oil and gas sector. The study was motivated by stringent new regulations, including the European Union’s Methane Regulation (2024/1787) and Oil & Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP2.0) guidelines, which mandate a minimum 99% methane destruction efficiency for flares and require experimental determination of destruction coefficients. The authors investigated two complementary measurement techniques for determining flare combustion efficiency: direct gas sampling and passive Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (pFTIR). The experimental work was conducted using an Esders degassing flare. The pFTIR method utilized a Mini HyperCam Telops imaging FTIR spectroradiometer. This remote sensing approach analyzed thermal radiation emitted by hot combustion gases, eliminating the need for physical access to hazardous flare locations. Both measurement techniques successfully verified high methane destruction efficiency exceeding the 99% regulatory threshold. The direct gas sampling method achieved a destruction efficiency of 99.09%, while the pFTIR approach demonstrated 99.77% efficiency. The relative difference between methods was minimal at 0.66%, indicating strong correlation and reliability.