Hydrogen Production by Solar Reforming of Natural Gas: A Cost Study

Solar Energy ◽  
2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan Mo¨ller ◽  
Dario Kaucic ◽  
Christian Sattler
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Production ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Industrial Plant ◽  
Production Plant ◽  
Cost Study ◽  
Production Of Hydrogen ◽  
Order Of Magnitude

Today’s production of renewable hydrogen using energy sources such as solar and wind is too expensive compared with conventional production, normally by an order of magnitude. The high costs are a major bottleneck for the launch of the hydrogen economy. This paper will present a bypass of this bottleneck, which is a compromise between the use of fossil and solar energy: the solar steam reforming of natural gas (NG). It comprises the production of hydrogen from NG and the use of solar energy as the renewable source at low cost. Using the solar reformer technology for generation of hydrogen, we expect fuel savings of up to 40% compared to a conventional plant. Therefore, the CO2 emissions can be reduced accordingly. Based on the experiences in DLR solar reformers, which were successfully demonstrated at a level of few hundred kW in previous EC co-funded projects (e.g. SOLASYS), industrial plant layouts were developed. For a 50 MWth solar reforming plant a cost study was prepared. Two process layouts were investigated and the hydrogen costs were calculated. Sensitivity analyses of different parameters such as the natural gas prize were conducted. The conceptual layout of a solar driven hydrogen production plant comprises the innovative solar reformer followed by a water gas shift reactor and gas separation units. For the separation of hydrogen and carbon dioxide a PSA unit and gas washing unit using methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) are considered. The remaining methane rich gas is recycled to the process. The results of this cost study show that hydrogen produced by solar reforming costs between 4.5 and 4.7ct€ / kWh (LHV of H2). Therefore it is only about 20% more expensive than conventionally produced hydrogen. Increasing the cost of methane (NG) will result in favorable conditions for the solar hydrogen.

Hydrogen Production by Solar Reforming of Natural Gas: A Comparison Study of Two Possible Process Configurations

2005 ◽  
Vol 128 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan Möller ◽  
Dario Kaucic ◽  
Christian Sattler
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Production ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Cost Study ◽  
Fuel Savings ◽  
Production Of Hydrogen ◽  
Production Technologies ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Favorable Conditions ◽  
Renewable Hydrogen

Solar steam reforming of natural gas (NG) is a possibility to lower the cost for introducing renewable hydrogen production technologies to the market by a combination of fossil fuel and solar energy. It comprises the production of hydrogen from NG and steam that acts as a chemical storage for hydrogen and solar energy as the renewable energy source to heat up the system and set free the hydrogen. Using the solar reformer technology fuel savings of up to 40% compared to a conventional plant are expected. The CO2 emissions can be reduced accordingly. The cost study shows that hydrogen produced by solar reforming might cost between 4.5 and 4.7ct€∕kWh (LHV of H2) today. Therefore, it is only about 20% more expensive than conventionally produced hydrogen. Rising prices for NG will result in favorable conditions for the solar technology.

Characterization of a Polymeric Membrane for the Separation of Hydrogen in a Mixture with CO2

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 126-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dionisio H. Malagón-Romero ◽  
Alexander Ladino ◽  
Nataly Ortiz ◽  
Liliana P. Green
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Hydrogen Production ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Time Lag ◽  
Polymeric Membrane ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Scanning Calorimetry ◽  
Environmentally Sustainable ◽  
Production Of Hydrogen

Hydrogen is expected to play an important role as a clean, reliable and renewable energy source. A key challenge is the production of hydrogen in an economically and environmentally sustainable way on an industrial scale. One promising method of hydrogen production is via biological processes using agricultural resources, where the hydrogen is found to be mixed with other gases, such as carbon dioxide. Thus, to separate hydrogen from the mixture, it is challenging to implement and evaluate a simple, low cost, reliable and efficient separation process. So, the aim of this work was to develop a polymeric membrane for hydrogen separation. The developed membranes were made of polysulfone via phase inversion by a controlled evaporation method with 5 wt % and 10 wt % of polysulfone resulting in thicknesses of 132 and 239 micrometers, respectively. Membrane characterization was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and ASTM D882 tensile test. Performance was characterized using a 23 factorial experiment using the time lag method, comparing the results with those from gas chromatography (GC). As a result, developed membranes exhibited dense microstructures, low values of RMS roughness, and glass transition temperatures of approximately 191.75 °C and 190.43 °C for the 5 wt % and 10 wt % membranes, respectively. Performance results for the given membranes showed a hydrogen selectivity of 8.20 for an evaluated gas mixture 54% hydrogen and 46% carbon dioxide. According to selectivity achieved, H2 separation from carbon dioxide is feasible with possibilities of scalability. These results are important for consolidating hydrogen production from biological processes.

scholarly journals Hydrogen production from water electrolysis: role of catalysts

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shan Wang ◽  
Aolin Lu ◽  
Chuan-Jian Zhong
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Production ◽  
Water Splitting ◽  
Noble Metal ◽  
Active Sites ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Water Electrolysis ◽  
Efficient Production ◽  
Production Of Hydrogen

AbstractAs a promising substitute for fossil fuels, hydrogen has emerged as a clean and renewable energy. A key challenge is the efficient production of hydrogen to meet the commercial-scale demand of hydrogen. Water splitting electrolysis is a promising pathway to achieve the efficient hydrogen production in terms of energy conversion and storage in which catalysis or electrocatalysis plays a critical role. The development of active, stable, and low-cost catalysts or electrocatalysts is an essential prerequisite for achieving the desired electrocatalytic hydrogen production from water splitting for practical use, which constitutes the central focus of this review. It will start with an introduction of the water splitting performance evaluation of various electrocatalysts in terms of activity, stability, and efficiency. This will be followed by outlining current knowledge on the two half-cell reactions, hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), in terms of reaction mechanisms in alkaline and acidic media. Recent advances in the design and preparation of nanostructured noble-metal and non-noble metal-based electrocatalysts will be discussed. New strategies and insights in exploring the synergistic structure, morphology, composition, and active sites of the nanostructured electrocatalysts for increasing the electrocatalytic activity and stability in HER and OER will be highlighted. Finally, future challenges and perspectives in the design of active and robust electrocatalysts for HER and OER towards efficient production of hydrogen from water splitting electrolysis will also be outlined.

scholarly journals Experimental Demonstration and Validation of Hydrogen Production Based on Gasification of Lignocellulosic Feedstock

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jürgen Loipersböck ◽  
Markus Luisser ◽  
Stefan Müller ◽  
Hermann Hofbauer ◽  
Reinhard Rauch
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Production ◽  
Pressure Swing Adsorption ◽  
Production Plant ◽  
Flow Sheet ◽  
Hydrogen Yield ◽  
Fuel Feed ◽  
Worldwide Production ◽  
Lignocellulosic Feedstock ◽  
Production Of Hydrogen ◽  
Pressure Swing

The worldwide production of hydrogen in 2010 was estimated to be approximately 50 Mt/a, mostly based on fossil fuels. By using lignocellulosic feedstock, an environmentally friendly hydrogen production route can be established. A flow sheet simulation for a biomass based hydrogen production plant was published in a previous work. The plant layout consisted of a dual fluidized bed gasifier including a gas cooler and a dust filter. Subsequently, a water gas shift plant was installed to enhance the hydrogen yield and a biodiesel scrubber was used to remove tars and water from the syngas. CO2 was removed and the gas was compressed to separate hydrogen in a pressure swing adsorption. A steam reformer was used to reform the hydrocarbon-rich tail gas of the pressure swing adsorption and increase the hydrogen yield. Based on this work, a research facility was erected and the results were validated. These results were used to upscale the research plant to a 10 MW fuel feed scale. A validation of the system showed a chemical efficiency of the system of 60% and an overall efficiency of 55%, which indicates the high potential of this technology.

Internal Reforming SOFC System for Flexible Coproduction of Hydrogen and Power

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kas Hemmes ◽  
Anish Patil ◽  
Nico Woudstra
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Hydrogen Production ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Total System ◽  
Flow Sheet ◽  
Content Increase ◽  
Fuel Utilization ◽  
Production Mode ◽  
Internal Reforming ◽  
Production Of Hydrogen

In the framework of the project Greening of Gas, in which the feasibility of mixing hydrogen into the natural gas network in the NL is studied, we are exploring alternative hydrogen production methods. Fuel cells are usually only seen as devices that convert hydrogen into power and heat. It is less well known that these electrochemical energy converters can produce hydrogen, or form an essential component in systems for co-production of hydrogen and power. Co-production of hydrogen and power from NG in an Internal reforming fuel cell (IR FC) is worked out by flow sheet calculations on an Internal reforming Solid Oxide fuel cell (IR-SOFC) system. It is shown that the system can operate in a wide range of fuel utilization values at least from 60% representing highest hydrogen production mode to 95% corresponding to ‘normal’ fuel cell operation mode. For the atmospheric pressure system studied here hydrogen and CO content increase up to 22.6 and 13.5 % respectively at a fuel utilization of 60%. Total system efficiency (power + H2/CO) is increasing significantly at lower fuel utilization and can reach 94 %. Our study confirms that the calculations of Vollmar et al1) on an IR-SOFC stack also hold for a complete FC system. Notably that paradoxically a system with the same fuel cell stack when switched to hydrogen production mode can yield more power in addition to the H2 and CO produced. This is because the hydrogen production mode allows for operation at high current and power densities. The same system can double its power output (e.g. from 1.26 MW to 2.5 MW) while simultaneously increasing the H2 /CO output to 3.1MW). Economics of these systems is greatly improved. These systems can also be considered for hydrogen production for the purpose of mixing it with natural gas in the natural gas grid in order to reduce CO2 emissions at the end users, because of the ability to adopt the system rapidly to fluctuations in natural gas/hydrogen demand.

MODELING AND SIMULATION OF THE PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN USING HYDROELECTRICITY IN VENEZUELA

2018 ◽  
pp. 88-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Contrerasa ◽  
F. Possob ◽  
Т. N. Veziroglu
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Hydrogen Production ◽  
Modeling And Simulation ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Total Cost ◽  
Time Horizons ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Production Of Hydrogen ◽  
The Cost

The purpose of this work is to develop and evaluate a mathematical model for the process of hydrogen production in Venezuela, via electrolysis and using hydroelectricity, with a view to using it as an energy vector in rural sectors of the country. Regression models were prepared to estimate the fluctuation of the main variables involved in the process: the production of hydrogen, the efficiency of energy conversion, the cost of hydroelectricity and the cost of the electrolyser. Finally, the proposed model was applied to various different time-horizons and populations, obtaining the cost of hydrogen production in each case. The results obtained are well below those mentioned in the references, owing largely to the low cost of the electricity used, which accounts for around 45% of the total cost of the system.

Small Scale Skid-Mounted Natural Gas to Hydrogen Production System Provides Competitive Hydrogen for China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pengfei Song ◽  
Rui Wang ◽  
Yiyan Sui ◽  
Tongwen Shan ◽  
Jianguo Hou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Production ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
System Integration ◽  
Life Cycle Cost ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Hydrogen Generator ◽  
Technical Parameters ◽  
Full Life Cycle

Abstract Because of its convenience, high efficiency and low cost, small-scale skid-mounted hydrogen generator has become a hydrogen-production object of intense research efforts worldwide and has broad prospects in application. We analyze the technical points and difficulties in detail of this kind of on-site compact hydrogen generators from natural gas, by each section in the production process. It is suitable for integrated hydrogen refueling stations due to easy transportation and installation. Related applications are introduced by comparing the technical parameters of recent typical products in the world. Meanwhile, we calculate that the full life cycle cost of hydrogen from skid-mounted hydrogen generator from natrual gas can achieve less than 40CNY / kgH2, which is more economic than other possible hydrogen sources and transportation modes of a hydrogen refueling station. Although the advantages mentioned above, we point out that technology innovation is still desirable, especially in the process of reforming, automatic control, system integration and catalysis, to realize the minimization of skid-mounted hydrogen generators base on natural gas, for its further and wider application in the future.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document