Air-Blown Biomass Gasification Process Intensification for Green Hydrogen Production: Modeling and Simulation in Aspen Plus

Hydrogen produced sustainably has the potential to be an important energy source in the short term. Biomass gasification is one of the fastest-growing technologies to produce green hydrogen. In this work, an air-blown gasification model was developed in Aspen Plus (R), integrating a water-gas shift (WGS) reactor to study green hydrogen production. A sensitivity analysis was performed based on two approaches with the objective of optimizing the WGS reaction. The gasifier is optimized for carbon monoxide production (Case A) or hydrogen production (Case B). A CO2 recycling stream is approached as another intensification process. Results suggested that the Case B approach is more favorable for green hydrogen production, allowing for a 52.5% molar fraction. The introduction of CO2 as an additional gasifying agent showed a negative effect on the H2 molar fraction. A general conclusion can be drawn that the combination of a WGS reactor with an air-blown biomass gasification process allows for attaining 52.5% hydrogen content in syngas with lower steam flow rates than a pure steam gasification process. These results are relevant for the hydrogen economy because they represent reference data for further studies towards the implementation of biomass gasification projects for green hydrogen production.

Automated summary

A biomass gasification model was developed to optimize green hydrogen production using a water-gas shift (WGS) reactor. Results showed that the approach focusing on hydrogen production yielded a favorable outcome, with a hydrogen content of 52.5%. This study provides important reference data for future biomass gasification projects for green hydrogen production.