A techno-economic evaluation of the energy generation by proton exchange membrane fuel cell using biogas reforming

Abstract

The development of more efficient processes for energy generation and the use of renewable energy sources, such as biogas, can promote the sustainable use of natural resources as well as the reduction of greenhouse gases emissions. The H2 production through biogas reforming for energy generation by fuel cells has been considered as an interesting alternative, since fuel cell systems exhibit higher energy efficiency than combustion engines. Thus, the aim of this work is to perform a techno-economic evaluation of a process for energy production by proton exchange membrane fuel cell using biogas reforming. For this, a plant for energy production was simulated. Next, the effect of important parameters such as composition of inlet stream of reforming reactor and biogas flow rate on the technical performance of the process, on cost of H2 production and on the selling price of energy generated was evaluated. The Jardim Gramacho landfill, located in the city of Rio de Janeiro/Brazil was used as a representative model of other landfills in Brazilian cities. The sensitivity analysis showed that the biogas flow rate had the greatest influence on the price of H2 produced and on the selling price of energy generated. The use of the highest biogas flow rate with a plant life of 14 y resulted in a high H2 production, a lower amount of H2O consumed and lower energy selling prices than the market selling prices. Moreover, these conditions made possible the supply of energy for 36,000 houses. These results showed that this technology is sustainable and economically feasible under these operating conditions. It may promote the widespread use of H2 and fuel cell technologies, which could ensure environmental sustainability.