Technical and environmental analysis on the power production from residual biomass using hydrogen as energy vector

摘要

Decarbonization of energy by using renewable sources is a global need to tackle climate change. Herein, we report on the techno-environmental analysis of the use of sugarcane press-mud, a residual biomass, as feedstock to produce power in a fuel cell by using hydrogen (H-2) as energy vector. Technical analysis was performed by using experimental and Aspen plus simulation results whereas environmental analysis was assessed through life cycle assessment. Raw bioethanol was used as H-2 source, which was purified by three different technologies, i.e., flash, mash, and rectification columns. Mash column was selected as the suitable process to purify bioethanol for producing H-2 and power, mainly ascribed to the reduction of bioethanol impurities that increases H-2 yield, reduces energy demand, and mitigates the environmental impact in terms of global warming potential and acidification potential. This technology presented an energy efficiency of 56 %, a renewability factor of 1.24 and a carbon footprint of 1.21 kg CO2 kWh(-1). Additionally, the use of residual biomass showed environmental benefits in comparison with the use of first-generation bioethanol from sugarcane molasses. Therefore, using sugarcane press-mud as power source in rural areas can diversify the energy sources to move towards a decarbonized economy. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.