Biowaste to hydrogen or Fischer-Tropsch fuels by gasification – A Gibbs energy minimisation study for finding carbon capture potential and fossil carbon displacement on the road

Erlend Velken Røstbø,Norbert Lümmen

doi:10.1016/j.energy.2020.118996

Erlend Velken Røstbø, Norbert Lümmen

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2020.118996

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Journal: Energy	Publication Date: Oct 7, 2020
Citations: 7	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: Western Norway University of Applied Sciences

Abstract

To reach its greenhouse gas emission reduction goals, Norway needs a shift away from the use of fossil fuels in the transport sector. The production potential and efficiency of Fischer-Tropsch biofuels and hydrogen from gasified wet organic municipal solid waste has been investigated. The carbon capture potential was estimated for both production processes and the number of road vehicles compared, which can be supplied with the fuel. Gibbs free energy minimisation is used to predict the synthesis gas composition. A detailed analysis of the different gas treatment processes that lead to either gasoline and diesel production, along with energy recovery as electricity, or hydrogen in either compressed or liquefied form is conducted. Both processes can utilise all available waste heat and the Fischer-Tropsch biofuel process is even self-sufficient with electrical power. The production of hydrogen has both higher first and second law efficiencies and a greater number of vehicles can be supplied with fuel. Either 2367 tonne H2 or 1497 tonne gasoline, 1279 tonne diesel, and 1.33 MW of net electric power can be produced at 1073 K gasification temperature, where both yield and efficiencies are highest. Hydrogen production also has the larger carbon capture potential during fuel production.

Highlights

In 2019, 50.3 million tonne CO2 equivalents were emitted to the atmosphere from Norwegian territories of which 42.2 million tonne were CO2 [1]
The transport sector has great potential to contribute to the necessary reductions. 16.8 million tonne CO2 equivalents were emitted by road traffic, domestic aviation, navigation, fishing, and motor equipment in 2018 [1], of which 13.2 million tonne were CO2
Energy and exergy efficiency of fuel production and the potential for CO2 capture and displacement of fossil fuels by the fuel produced from biomass are presented

Summary

Introduction

In 2019, 50.3 million tonne CO2 equivalents were emitted to the atmosphere from Norwegian territories of which 42.2 million tonne were CO2 [1]. While this amount appears to be negligible on a global scale (0.12% of global CO2 emissions in 2018 [2]), the Norwegian government has committed to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to 60% of the level produced in 1990, or less, by the year 2030 [3]. By realising carbon emission free transport in Norway until 2030, 84% of the necessary reduction of greenhouse gas emissions could be achieved by this sector alone. Road traffic could account for a reduction of 9.1 million tonne CO2

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