Energy efficiency of hydrogen production via gasification from lignocellulosic residual biomass blend

Abstract

Facing the challenges of environmental sustainability and energy security caused by anthropogenic carbon emissions, there is a need to adopt cleaner energy generation technologies, leveraging Colombia's existing national resources. In this context, hydrogen emerges as a promising source of renewable energy. Therefore, this project explores the use of a blend of residual lignocellulosic biomass as raw material for hydrogen production through gasification for energy purposes. Initially, a screening of residual lignocellulosic biomass in the study region was conducted, a blend was selected, and a simulation of the synthesis gas production process was carried out prospectively using Aspen Plus Dynamics® software. The results revealed that, by using the selected biomass blend, a synthesis gas with a hydrogen molar fraction of 38.7% and an ER of 0.19 was obtained. According to sensitivity analyses, the optimal parameters identified to achieve this hydrogen concentration were: gasification temperature of 707°C, oxygen flows of 484 kg/h, steam at 420 kg/h, and gasification pressure of 1 atm. These findings support the potential of the studied lignocellulosic biomass blend as an alternative for hydrogen production, while also offering an opportunity for the valorization of lignocellulosic residual biomass.