Evaluation of on-site hydrogen generation via steam reforming of biodiesel: Process optimization and heat integration

The present simulation study investigates on-site hydrogen generation (50 Nm3/h) via steam reforming of biodiesel. The system comprises a steam reformer, a water gas shift stage, a pressure swing adsorption unit and a dual fuel burner. Sensitivity analysis with Aspen Plus shows a positive effect on overall system efficiency for high pressure and low steam-to-carbon ratio. A theoretical maximum efficiency (based on lower heating value) of 78.2% can be obtained requiring a complex and costly heat exchanger network. Consequently, a system simplification is proposed resulting in a novel fuel processor concept for steam reforming of biodiesel based on a fully heat integrated system. A thermal System efficiency of 75.6% is obtained at S/C ¼ 2.53, p ¼ 13 bara and T ¼ 825 �C. The technoeconomic evaluation reveals hydrogen production costs ranging from 5.77 V/kg to 11.15 V/kg (depending on the biodiesel market price)

On-site hydrogen production at refuelling stations from diesel and biodiesel

On-site hydrogen production at refuelling stations from liquid fuels offers a number of advantages like high energy density and infrastructure already being available. Besides, it is economically advantageous in areas where hydrogen cannot be cost-effectively supplied by a central production plant. Within the 3-year project NEMESIS2+ (New Method for Superior Integrated Hydrogen Generation System) a small-scale hydrogen generator capable of producing 50 m3h-1 from biodiesel and diesel will be developed. Apart from integrating such system into existing refuelling stations, the NEMESIS2+ hydrogen generator is potentially applicable to the chemical industry, in particular for blanketing, hydrogenation and chemical synthesis

Solar-Driven Thermochemical Production of Sustainable Liquid Fuels from H2O and CO2 in a Heliostat Field

The technology presented, Sunlight to Liquid or StL, has as main achievement the demonstration, for the first time, of a fully integrated system producing liquid fuels from concentrated sunlight, water and carbon dioxide under real on-sun conditions provided by a modular heliostat field and therefore promoting the StL technology to a readiness level (TRL) of 5. The main objective driving this development is the decarbonization of transport sector, with particular emphasis on aviation. For this purpose, a solar fuel research facility comprising a high-flux solar concentrating heliostat field and tower, a solar thermochemical reactor system, and a gas-to-liquid conversion plant have been installed at a sunny site in Móstoles, Spain. Ceria is used as the reactive material in the solar reactor, which undergoes a temperature and pressure swing in a redox cycle, splitting water and carbon dioxide into hydrogen and carbon monoxide. This synthesis gas is then converted into hydrocarbons downstream via a Fischer-Tropsch conversion plant. The customized heliostat field has been able to provide irradiances above 3000 kW/m2 onto the small aperture of the 50kW solar reactor, producing up to 150 L/h solar syngas subsequently converted into liquid fuel

Solar-Driven Thermochemical Production of Sustainable Liquid Fuels from H2O and CO2 in a Heliostat Field

The technology presented has as main goal to produce for the first time fuels from concentrated sunlight, water and carbon dioxide under real-world conditions and to promote the technology to a readiness level of 5. For this purpose, a solar fuel research facility comprising a high-flux solar concentrating heliostat field and tower, a solar thermochemical reactor system, and a gas-to-liquid conversion plant have been installed at a sunny site. Ceria is used as the reactive material, which undergoes a temperature and pressure swing in a redox cycle, splitting water and carbon dioxide into hydrogen and carbon monoxide. This synthesis gas is then converted into hydrocarbons via a Fischer-Tropsch conversion plant. The customized heliostat field has been able to provide irradiances above 3000 kW/m2 onto the aperture of the 50kW reactor, producing up to 300 l/hour solar syngas subsequently converted into liquid fuel

IEA-HIA Task 23 Small Scale Reformers for On-site Hydrogen Supply

The main objective of Task 23 Small Scale Reformers for On-site Hydrogen Supply has been to provide a basis for harmonization of technology for on-site hydrogen production from hydrocarbon s– fossil and renewable. The four sub-objectives were to: • Develop a basis for harmonized capacities for the on-site hydrogen reformer unit • Identify and examine issues related to the promotion of widespread use of on-site hydrogen reformer units • Develop a global market guide for the use of on-site hydrogen reformers • Describe the technology link to renewable sources An exclusive network of worldwide suppliers of reformers as well as gas companies and research institutes has contributed to the work. In total 10 countries from 15 companies and institutes have participated in the discussion and evaluation of technology for harmonization of on-site production units enabling more optimal use of feedstock. The ambition has been to contribute to reduced production costs, improved system performance and mass production of on-site reformer units. Task 23 has been successful in creating a platform for discussion and novel collaborations, supplying knowledge and experience on the use of reformers for on-site hydrogen production. On-site hydrogen supply is an important stepping-stone towards the development of a hydrogen infrastructure and a more environmental friendly transport sector. This is seen in the development of hydrogen infrastructures in Europe, US and in Japan where all the demonstration projects have included service stations with on-site production units. Current infrastructure development is mainly part of demonstration projects, and experiences show that hydrogen from on-site production is competitive compared to many other alternatives. Task 23 has contributed development of a basis for safe and harmonized technology and a global market guide for on-site reforming. There is a need to continue this work and ensure a more unbiased verification of on-site production technologies (reforming and electrolysis). Such work can only be performed under an impartial global organisation as IEA-HIA. A continued strong industrial engagement in the work performed under the IEA-HIA is essential to ensure that industrial (real) data are supplied to future analysis, and to ensure global industry support in development of the hydrogen society. There is a strong motivation among the industrial partners of Task 23 to bring forward a new task on small scale production of hydrogen. The network will enable interaction across technology and market segments to support harmonisation of on-site supply technology. The new task will be an industry driven task and empowering the IEA-HIA with research results, industrial support, data and market expertise

A solar tower fuel plant for the thermochemical production of kerosene from H2O and CO2

Developing solar technologies for producing carbon-neutral aviation fuels has become a global energy challenge, but their readiness level has largely been limited to laboratory-scale studies. Here, we report on the experimental demonstration of a fully integrated thermochemical production chain from H2O and CO2 to kerosene using concentrated solar energy in a solar tower configuration. The co-splitting of H2O and CO2 was performed via a ceria-based thermochemical redox cycle to produce a tailored mixture of H2 and CO (syngas) with full selectivity, which was further processed to kerosene. The 50-kW solar reactor consisted of a cavity-receiver containing a reticulated porous structure directly exposed to a mean solar flux concentration of 2,500 suns. A solar-to-syngas energy conversion efficiency of 4.1% was achieved without applying heat recovery. This solar tower fuel plant was operated with a setup relevant to industrial implementation, setting a technological milestone toward the production of sustainable aviation fuels.ISSN:2542-4351ISSN:2542-478

Evaluation of on-site hydrogen generation via steam reforming of biodiesel: Process optimization and heat integration

The present simulation study investigates on-site hydrogen generation (50 Nm3/h) via steam reforming of biodiesel. The system comprises a steam reformer, a water gas shift stage, a pressure swing adsorption unit and a dual fuel burner. Sensitivity analysis with Aspen Plus shows a positive effect on overall system efficiency for high pressure and low steam-to-carbon ratio. A theoretical maximum efficiency (based on lower heating value) of 78.2% can be obtained requiring a complex and costly heat exchanger network. Consequently, a system simplification is proposed resulting in a novel fuel processor concept for steam reforming of biodiesel based on a fully heat integrated system. A thermal System efficiency of 75.6% is obtained at S/C ¼ 2.53, p ¼ 13 bara and T ¼ 825 �C. The technoeconomic evaluation reveals hydrogen production costs ranging from 5.77 V/kg to 11.15 V/kg (depending on the biodiesel market price)