You can view the full text of this article for free using the link below.

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 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Free access Comment on this article