Investigation of a novel & integrated simulation model for hydrogen production from lignocellulosic biomass

Abstract

Process simulation and modeling works are very important to determine novel design and operation conditions. In this study; hydrogen production from synthesis gas obtained by gasification of lignocellulosic biomass is investigated. The main motivation of this work is to understand how biomass is converted to hydrogen rich synthesis gas and its environmentally friendly impact. Hydrogen market development in several energy production units such as fuel cells is another motivation to realize these kinds of activities. The initial results can help to contribute to the literature and widen our experience on utilization of the CO2 neutral biomass sources and gasification technology which can develop the design of hydrogen production processes. The raw syngas is obtained via staged gasification of biomass, using bubbling fluidized bed technology with secondary agents; then it is cleaned, its hydrocarbon content is reformed, CO content is shifted (WGS) and finally H2 content is separated by the PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) unit. According to the preliminary results of the ASPEN HYSYS conceptual process simulation model; the composition of hydrogen rich gas (0.62% H2O, 38.83% H2, 1.65% CO, 26.13% CO2, 0.08% CH4, and 32.69% N2) has been determined. The first simulation results show that the hydrogen purity of the product gas after PSA unit is 99.999% approximately. The mass lower heating value (LHVmass) of the product gas before PSA unit is expected to be about 4500 kJ/kg and the overall fuel processor efficiency has been calculated as ∼93%.