H2A Case Study: Current Central Biomass

Project Summary

Full Title:	H2A Case Study: Current (2005) Hydrogen from Biomass via Gasification and Catalytic Steam Reforming
Project ID:	229
Principal Investigator:	Darlene Steward
Keywords:	Biomass; pressure swing adsorption (PSA); water gas shift reaction (WGSR); costs; hydrogen production; gasifier

Purpose

The purpose of this analysis was to determine the production cost of hydrogen from biomass via the FERCO indirectly-heated gasifier.

Performer

Principal Investigator:	Darlene Steward
Organization:	National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
Address:	1617 Cole Blvd. Golden, CO 80401-3393
Telephone:	303-275-3837
Email:	Darlene_Steward@nrel.gov

Sponsor(s)

Name:	Fred Joseck
Organization:	DOE/EERE/HFCIT
Telephone:	202-586-7932
Email:	Fred.Joseck@ee.doe.gov

Period of Performance

Start:	December 2004

Project Description

Type of Project:	Analysis
Category:	Hydrogen Fuel Pathways

Technologies Considered:	Indirectly-heated biomass gasifier; steam; grid electricity; water gas shift; pressure swing adsorption

Methodology/Approach:	Material and energy balances in Aspen Plus®, equipment costing in Questimate, cash flow analysis, sensitivity analysis.

Models Used:	H2A Production Model

Outputs:	Production cost of hydrogen

Sensitivities Studied:	Total capital investment; capacity factor; labor requirements; overall plant efficiency; biomass feedstock cost

Timeframe Studied:	2005

Products/Deliverables

	Description: Spreadsheet Analysis Publication Title: Current Central Hydrogen Production via Biomass Gasification version 2.0.1 Publisher: National Renewable Energy Laboratory Type of Publication: Spreadsheet Author Name(s): Steward, Darlene http://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/h2a_prod_studies.html Publication Date: May 2008 Description: Spreadsheet Analysis Publication Title: Current Central Hydrogen Production via Biomass Gasification version 1 Publisher: National Renewable Energy Laboratory Type of Publication: Spreadsheet Author Name(s): Mann, Margaret Publication Date: June 2006

Description: Spreadsheet Analysis
Publication Title: Current Central Hydrogen Production via Biomass Gasification version 2.0.1
Publisher: National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Type of Publication: Spreadsheet
Author Name(s): Steward, Darlene
http://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/h2a_prod_studies.html
Publication Date: May 2008
Description: Spreadsheet Analysis
Publication Title: Current Central Hydrogen Production via Biomass Gasification version 1
Publisher: National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Type of Publication: Spreadsheet
Author Name(s): Mann, Margaret
Publication Date: June 2006

Notes/Comments:	The systems examined are based on the Battelle/FERCO indirectly-heated biomass gasifier, conventional catalytic steam reforming, water gas shift, and pressure swing adsorption purification. The indirectly-heated biomass gasifier uses hot sand, circulating between the char combustor and the gasifier, to provide the heat necessary for gasification. Steam is used as the fluidizing gas; no oxygen (as pure oxygen or air) is fed to the gasifier. The biomass feedstock is assumed to be a woody biomass, represented as hybrid poplar.

Notes/Comments:

The systems examined are based on the Battelle/FERCO indirectly-heated biomass gasifier, conventional catalytic steam reforming, water gas shift, and pressure swing adsorption purification. The indirectly-heated biomass gasifier uses hot sand, circulating between the char combustor and the gasifier, to provide the heat necessary for gasification. Steam is used as the fluidizing gas; no oxygen (as pure oxygen or air) is fed to the gasifier. The biomass feedstock is assumed to be a woody biomass, represented as hybrid poplar.

Date Last Updated: 09/29/2008