Simulation and Optimization of a Glycerol-based Hydrogen Production Process for the Conceptual Design of 30Nm~3/h Hydrogen Station Using Steam Reforming

摘要

Hydrogen production from biorefinery-byproduct glycerol is becoming popular with the increased size of the biorefinery market. This research proposes a hydrogen production process using glycerol for small hydrogen stations, replacing existing processes that use Steam Methane Reforming (SMR). Mathematical modeling, simulation and optimization are performed for the hydrogen production process using steam reforming of glycerol as the source of syngas (CO, H2). The mixture of glycerol and steam are used for making syngas in the reforming process. Then carbon dioxide and hydrogen are produced from carbon monoxide and steam through Water-Gas Shift Reaction (WGS). Finally, hydrogen is separated from carbon dioxide using Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) and then refined as pure as 99.999%. This study shows higher glycerol-to-hydrogen yield against existing U.S. DOE and Linde studies. Based on the result of process design and simulation, economic evaluations are performed for optimal planning of constructing domestic hydrogen energy infrastructure.