Biomass Potential for Producing Power via Green Hydrogen

Abstract

Hydrogen (H2) has become an important energy vector for mitigating the effects of climate change since it can be obtained from renewable sources and can be fed to fuel cells for producing power. Bioethanol can become a green H2 source via Ethanol Steam Reforming (ESR) but several variables influence the power production in the fuel cell. Herein, we explored and optimized the main variables that affect this power production. The process includes biomass fermentation, bioethanol purification, H2 production via ESR, syngas cleaning by a CO-removal reactor, and power production in a high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (HT-PEMFC). Among the explored variables, the steam-to-ethanol molar ratio (S/E) employed in the ESR has the strongest influence on power production, process efficiency, and energy consumption. This effect is followed by other variables such as the inlet ethanol concentration and the ESR temperature. Although the CO-removal reactor did not show a significant effect on power production, it is key to increase the voltage on the fuel cell and consequently the power production. Optimization was carried out by the response surface methodology (RSM) and showed a maximum power of 0.07 kWh kg−1 of bioethanol with an efficiency of 17%, when ESR temperature is 700 °C. These values can be reached from different bioethanol sources as the S/E and CO-removal temperature are changed accordingly with the inlet ethanol concentration. Because there is a linear correlation between S/E and ethanol concentration, it is possible to select a proper S/E and CO-removal temperature to maximize the power generation in the HT-PEMFC via ESR. This study serves as a starting point to diversify the sources for producing H2 and moving towards a H2-economy.

Analysis of Bioethanol Purification with Two Outlet Distillation System

“…The results show that the twooutlet distillation system has the potential to improve separation efficiency and reduce bioethanol production costs. For the mathematical model and numerical simulation of a two-outlet distillation system for bioethanol purification [12]. Through this approach, we investigated various operational scenarios and parameter variations to optimize the separation process.…”

Biogas Steam Reforming in Wastewater Treatment Plants: Opportunities and Challenges

“…Hydrogen presents a key role in multisectorial defossilization and decarbonization, which is expected to reach zero net emissions by 2050, with the subsequent increase in hydrogen demand (expected up to USD 12 trillion by 2050) [15][16][17]. This is due to the fact that it implies an excellent environmentally friendly energy carrier, which can be obtained through steam reforming from different natural sources such as biomass [18,19]. Currently, 48% of total hydrogen production is obtained via natural gas steam reforming, 30% via petroleum fraction, 18% via coal gasification and 4% via electrolysis [20].…”

On the Potential of Blue Hydrogen Production in Colombia: A Fossil Resource-Based Assessment for Low-Emission Hydrogen

“…Research on H 2 production potential in Colombia has been prolific in recent years, mainly considering the use of residual biomass, with diverse sources such as coffee and cacao plantations [29,30], Pinus patula [31], palm kernel and Jatropha [32,33], and sugarcane [34][35][36]. Studies on the production through ethanol steam reforming [37] and biomass gasification [38], as well as on energy production from H 2 [34,39], and on H 2 storage [40,41] have also been reported. Meanwhile, studies on Colombian potential for H 2 production from fossil fuels are scarce and mostly superficial with respect to coal as feedstock [25,42].…”