Title: Efficiency analysis of hydrogen production methods from biomass

Authors: Krzysztof J. Ptasinski

Addresses: Chemical Engineering Department, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands

Abstract: Hydrogen is considered as a universal energy carrier for the future, and biomass has the potential to become a sustainable source of hydrogen. This article presents an efficiency analysis of hydrogen production processes from a variety of biomass feedstocks by a thermochemical method – gasification as well as biochemical methods – fermentation and anaerobic digestion. The exergetic efficiency of H₂ production by gasification of more dry biomass is comparable to that of the commonly used Steam Methane Reforming. The detailed exergy analysis of H₂ production by biomass gasification shows that the largest exergy losses occur in the gasifier.

Keywords: dry biomass; exergy analysis; biomass gasification; hydrogen production; thermochemical methods; steam methane reforming; alternative propulsion.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAP.2008.019692

International Journal of Alternative Propulsion, 2008 Vol.2 No.1, pp.39 - 49

Published online: 21 Jul 2008 *