Dynamic analysis of a new solar-wind energy-based cascaded system for hydrogen to ammonia

A novel configuration of hybrid wind-solar PV based cascaded ammonia synthesis is proposed in this article. A comprehensive dynamic analysis is conducted in this study which is substantial to explore the system functionality under different atmospheric conditions as the power achieved by the wind farm source is dependent on the wind speed and power extracted from the solar PV source depends upon solar radiation intensities. The system is designed to supply the electrical output extracted from the wind-solar PV sources to the proton exchange membrane electrolyser after meeting the system work requirements for hydrogen production. The produced hydrogen reacts with nitrogen separated from pressure swing adsorption to synthesize ammonia. A cascaded ammonia synthesis system is employed in this study to achieve high fractional conversion and simulated using Aspen Plus V11. Toronto is chosen as the geographical location for the dynamic simulation. The minimum exergetic efficiency is found to be 19.21% during the month of December and maximum exergetic efficiency is determined as 26.06% during the month of April. Similarly, the minimum energetic efficiency is found to be 18% during December and maximum energetic efficiency was determined as 24.42% during the month of April. In addition, the results obtained from comprehensive dynamic analyses are presented and discussed. (C) 2020 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.