Technoeconomic analysis of hydrogen versus natural gas considering safety hazards and energy efficiency indicators

Abstract

Hydrogen ([Formula: see text]) is emerging as a key alternative to fossil fuels in the global energy transition. This study presents a comparative techno-economic analysis of [Formula: see text] and natural gas (NG), focusing on safety hazards, energy output, [Formula: see text] emissions, and cost-effectiveness aspects. Our analysis showed that, compared to NG and other highly flammable gases like acetylene ([Formula: see text]) and propane ([Formula: see text]), [Formula: see text] has a higher hazard potential due to factors such as its wide flammability range, low ignition energy, and high flame speed. In terms of energy output, 1 kg of NG produces 48.60 MJ, while conversion to liquefied natural gas (LNG), grey [Formula: see text], and blue [Formula: see text] reduces energy output to 45.96 MJ, 35.45 MJ, and 31.21 MJ, respectively. Similarly, while unconverted NG emits 2.72 kg of [Formula: see text] per kg, emissions increase to 3.12 kg for LNG and 3.32 kg for grey [Formula: see text]. However, blue [Formula: see text] significantly reduces [Formula: see text] emissions to 1.05 kg per kg due to carbon capture and storage. From an economic perspective, producing 1 kg of NG yields a profit of $0.011. Converting NG to grey [Formula: see text] is most profitable, yielding a net profit of $0.609 per kg of NG, while blue [Formula: see text], despite higher production costs, remains viable with a profit of $0.390 per kg of NG. LNG conversion also shows profitability with $0.061 per kg of NG. This analysis highlights the trade-offs between energy efficiency, environmental impact, and economic viability, providing valuable insights for stakeholders formulating hydrogen and LNG implementation strategies.

Topics & Concepts