Thermodynamic analysis of biogas reforming for hydrogen production: A comparative investigation

Abstract

Organic solid waste (OSW) can be valorized through anaerobic digestion, producing biogas as a renewable energy carrier while enabling efficient resource recovery. As biogas is primarily composed of CH₄ and CO₂, its conversion into hydrogen offers a promising pathway for both renewable energy production and greenhouse gas utilization. However, multiple thermochemical conversion routes have been proposed, and their relative advantages in terms of hydrogen production performance, carbon utilization, and energy consumption remain unclear. In this regard, three thermochemical pathways, namely methane decomposition (MD), dry reforming of methane (DRM), and combined steam and dry reforming of methane (CSDRM), are systematically evaluated using Aspen Plus to identify the most suitable process for hydrogen production from OSW−derived biogas. CSDRM represents the best comprehensive performance among the investigated pathways. In this process, the simultaneous steam and dry reforming reactions synergistically enhance methane conversion. The hydrogen concentration and hydrogen utilization efficiency achieve 57.9 vol % and 94.3 %, respectively, accompanied by the highest syngas yield of 127.9 kmol h⁻¹. The hydrogen production rate of CSDRM increases by 34.9 % and 35.5 % compared with MD and DRM, respectively.