Process Analysis of Hydrogen Production via Biomass Gasification under Computer-Aided Safety and Environmental Assessments

Abstract

The growing awareness to advance new ways to transform renewable materials for producing clean fuels, under technical and sustainable viability, is evident. In this regard, hydrogen arises as one of the cleanest and energetic biofuels in the market. This work addresses the modeling and evaluation of a biomass gasification topology employing process simulation along with an environmental and inherent safety analysis. The presented pathway considered two renewable raw materials (cassava and rice waste) based on their vast availability in north Colombia regions. We employed Aspen Plus process simulation software to model the process, setting biomasses (and ash content) as nonconventional solids in the software and inclusion of FORTRAN subroutines for handling solid properties. Otherwise, the environmental evaluation was performed applying the waste reduction algorithm (WAR). At the same time, safety assessment involves a comprehensive approach based on the inherent safety index (ISI) and the process route index (PRI) methods. Data generated from the implementation of rigorous process simulation of biomass gasification allowed us to determine the needed aspect for performing process analysis methodologies. Results revealed that this topology generates a total flow of 3944.51 kg/h with more than 97% vol of H 2 , from the sustainable use of 19,243 kg/h of cassava waste and 15,000 kg/h of rice straw. From the environmental viewpoint, the process showed moderately to a high overall rate of potential environmental impacts (PEIs), with a higher contribution from process sources than energy sources. It indicates that most of the generated impacts would come from self-operation than from the energy supply generation. In the case of process safety, the topology obtained an ISI score of 35, which represents that modeled gasification would operate below 50% of the expected neutral standard for a physical–chemical process. Complementing the safety evaluation, the obtained PRI suggests that compared to other processes, the analyzed topology shows relatively adequate performance considering the nature of this type of process.

A Review on Recent Progress in the Integrated Green Hydrogen Production Processes

“…Biomass gasification involves a thermochemical process at high temperatures (~900 • C) and low pressure. The main steps include drying the feedstock, pyrolysis of the feedstock, and a reaction part including oxidation, reduction, and cracking [67][68][69]. The products are carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane, and hydrogen.…”

Hyaluronic Acid Allows Enzyme Immobilization for Applications in Biomedicine

“…Production of hydrogen ( ) for a comparatively clean and renewable option was also attempted through the usage of enzyme-facilitated metabolism algal functions [ 3 , 29 ]. Among current methods for production are pyrolysis [ 30 , 31 , 32 ] and gasification [ 33 , 34 ] of carbon-based fossil fuels, sewage sludge, biomass as well as steam reforming of natural gas [ 35 , 36 ], and electrolysis of water [ 34 , 37 , 38 ], respectively. However, such methods are limited by the profitability in the yield, its storage and distribution capabilities, severe reaction conditions required at its implementation, as well as related equipment fragility and energy input necessities [ 34 , 35 , 39 ] respectively.…”

“…Though enzymes do come with a significant production cost, their potential for genetic modification and long-term economic profit have been considered to overcome the challenges associated with traditional methods for production [ 40 ]. Meanwhile, the production costs of current commercial ways can only be pacified with the adoption of new theory and methodology altogether [ 33 ].…”

Sustainability Outlook of Thermochemical-Based Second-Generation Biofuel Production: Exergy Assessment

“…The equilibrium is favorable to the products when the system performs at 205 • C and 32 atm. The reactor was simulated as a Rstoic model in ASPEN PLUS, considering reported thermodynamic parameters and performance of the equilibrium reactions under the described conditions [39]. Due to the formation of CO 2 in WGS, this substance is highly mixed in the mainstream with H 2 (stream 27).…”