Techno‐economic analysis of hydrogen production from the nuclear fusion‐biomass hybrid system

Abstract

Summary The hydrogen production over the combination of nuclear fusion and biomass conversion technologies achieves the carbon‐negative effect by employing carbon capture and storage technology. Techno‐economic analysis on the fusion‐biomass hybrid system is performed to understand the hydrogen cost and the cost competitiveness as compared to other existing technologies. Cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin for biomass are chosen for the techno‐economic analysis in addition to the municipal solid waste as another feedstock. Stoichiometric calculation for biomass conversion to hydrogen is employed. Nuclear fusion thermal heat capacity and its heat cost are selected based on literature survey. Gasification plant for hydrogen production is assumed to employ the bubbling fluidized bed gasifier, fed by 20.6 MJ/kg of biomass. The result shows that total syngas capacity is 203 PJ and 137 PJ of hydrogen is produced through a ceramic membrane for H2 separation. The levelized cost of hydrogen is $2.45/kg and the estimated 90% confidence interval of the LCOH ranges from $1.87 to $3.24/kg. The LCOH locates at a competitive position among the existing technologies. The LCOH can further decreased with the development of carbon pricing by the time of fusion commercialization in 2050.

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