Multi-Criteria Optimization of a Biomass-Based Hydrogen Production System Integrated With Organic Rankine Cycle

Xiaoqi Zhang,Xiaotong Jia,Yuling Zhou,Qi Dang,Yuheng Feng

doi:10.3389/fenrg.2020.584215

Xiaoqi Zhang, Xiaotong Jia + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fenrg.2020.584215

Copy DOI

Abstract

Biomass-based gasification is an attractive and promising pathway for hydrogen production. In this work, a biomass-based hydrogen production system integrated with organic Rankine cycle was designed and investigated to predict the performance of hydrogen production yield and electricity generation under various operating conditions. The modified equilibrium model presented desirable results for the produced syngas compositions compared with the experimental data. Hydrogen yields from four types of biomass (wood chips, daily manure, sorghum and grapevine pruning wastes) were compared under the same operating condition, with woodchips exhibiting the maximum hydrogen yield of 11.59 (mol/kg). The effects of gasification temperature, equivalence ratio and steam-to-biomass ratio on the hydrogen yield and electricity generation were investigated by the response surface method. Furthermore, the system was optimized using genetic algorithm based on the response surface model. A preferred optimal solution with the hydrogen yield of 39.31 (mol/kg) and output power of 3558.08 (kW) was selected by the LINMAP method.

Highlights

Hydrogen is one of the promising energy sources and will be most likely to play a critical role in energy production, energy storage, and transport sector in the future (Salam et al, 2013)
The syngas compositions from four biomass types including wood chips and sorghum were compared between different models (M1: the original equilibrium model, M2: the modified model considered the carbon conversion efficiency, and M3: the modified model considered the carbon conversion efficiency and nonequilibrium constants) and the experimental data of specific biomass
The main operating parameters of the simulation were kept consistent with the actual experimental conditions

Summary

Introduction

Hydrogen is one of the promising energy sources and will be most likely to play a critical role in energy production, energy storage, and transport sector in the future (Salam et al, 2013). Hydrogen is dominantly produced from fossil energy, natural gas Renewable sources such as solar and biomass can be utilized to produce hydrogen through various production pathways including electrolysis, photo-electrochemical, and thermochemical processes (Puigarnavat et al, 2010). Biomass gasification as an alternative pathway has received substantial attention for hydrogen-rich syngas and enhanced hydrogen production in the past two decades due to its high energy efficiency and low CO2 emissions (Li et al, 2001). Biomass feedstocks such as agricultural and forestry residues, dedicated energy crops, and industrial and municipal wastes are potential energy sources and suitable for hydrogen production (Salam et al, 2018).

Methods

Results

Conclusion