All wastes/residues are not equal for hydrogen production via gasification: Impacts of feedstock properties on process parameters
Roshni Sajiv Kumar, Daya Ram Nhuchhen, Josephine M. Hill
Abstract
Eight different waste streams are evaluated in a gasification process with carbon capture modeled using Aspen Plus®. The influence of the feedstock properties on various process parameters is analyzed and quantified. The waste properties that have the largest impact on the process are heating value, moisture content, and carbon content. The first two properties directly impact the feedstock amount and process conversion efficiencies. The carbon content influences the process parameter requirements for the gasifier and shift reactor, product yield and carbon emissions from the process. Energy requirements are dictated by the carbon content and net heating value of the feedstock. Based on these findings, correlations are developed for extrapolation to any waste residue for hydrogen production via gasification. Feedstocks with high carbon content (85–86 wt%), high heating value (>39 GJ/t dry) and low moisture content (<5 wt%) positively impact the hydrogen production process. • Feedstock LHV and moisture content dictate amount of feedstock required. • Linear relationship between syngas yield and feedstock carbon content. • Conversion efficiency increases as LHV increases and moisture content decreases. • Energy requirements are dictated by feedstock net heating value and carbon content. • CO 2 emissions decrease as feedstock carbon content increases.