Title: Energy, exergy and environmental analyses of hydrogen production process by ethanol steam reforming incorporated to sugar and alcohol mill

Authors: Wendell De Queiróz Lamas; José Luz Silveira

Addresses: Department of Basic and Environmental Sciences, Lorena School of Engineering, University of São Paulo (USP), 12602-810, Lorena, SP, Brazil ' IPBEN-UNESP, Institute of Bioenergy Research, School of Engineering, São Paulo State University (Unesp), 12516-410, Guaratinguetá, SP, Brazil

Abstract: This work aims to perform the thermodynamic, economic, and ecological studies of incorporation of hydrogen production process by ethanol steam reforming considering data from a sugar and alcohol mill, which produces near of 62.9 kg of sugar and 42.8 L of alcohol for each tonne of sugar-cane. A technical analysis of the actual process of ethanol production is performed before an analysis of the same plant with hydrogen production process incorporated. After that, an engineering economic analysis is developed to allocate the production costs of new configuration proposed, such as cost of sugar production, cost of ethanol production, and cost of hydrogen production. Finally, the effects on pollutants emissions with a view on incorporation of the new process for hydrogen production in that plant are determined.

Keywords: co-generation system; energy exploitation; hydrogen production; sugar and alcohol industry; sugar-cane bagasse.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2018.093141

International Journal of Exergy, 2018 Vol.26 No.3, pp.263 - 298

Received: 20 Apr 2017
Accepted: 21 Dec 2017
Published online: 10 Jul 2018 *

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