Thermoeconomic analysis of an integrated membrane reactor and carbon dioxide capture system producing decarbonized hydrogen

Abstract

In this study, a novel thermo-economic analysis on a membrane reactor adopted to generate hydrogen, coupled to a carbon-dioxide capture system, is proposed. Exergy destruction, fuel, and environmental as well as purchased equipment costs have been accounted to estimate the cost of hydrogen production in the aforementioned integrated plant. It has been found that the integration of the CO2 capture system with the membrane reactor is responsible for the reduction of the hydrogen production cost by 12 % due to the decrease in environmental penalty cost. In addition, the effects of operating parameters (steam-to-carbo ratio and biogas temperature) on the hydrogen production cost are investigated. Hence, this work demonstrates that the latter can be decreased by approximately 2 $/kgH2 when steam to carbon ratio increases from 1.5 to 4. The analyses reveal that steam-to-carbo ratio increases exergy destruction cost, affecting consequently also the hydrogen production cost. However, from a thermodynamic point of view, it enhances the hydrogen production in the membrane reactor, mutually lowering the hydrogen production cost. It has been also estimated that a decrease in the biogas inlet temperature from 450 to 400°C can reduce the hydrogen production cost by 7 %. This study demonstrates that the fuel cost is a major economic parameter affecting commercialization of hydrogen production, while exergy destruction and environmental costs are also significant factors in determining the hydrogen production cost.