Efficiency analysis of hydrogen production methods from biomass

Abstract

Hydrogen is considered as a universal energy carrier for the future, and biomass has the potential to become a sustainable source of hydrogen. This article presents an efficiency analysis of hydrogen production processes from a variety of biomass feedstocks by a thermochemical method - gasification as well as biochemical methods - fermentation and anaerobic digestion. The exergetic efficiency of HSUB align = right2 production by gasification of more dry biomass is comparable to that of the commonly used Steam Methane Reforming. The detailed exergy analysis of HSUB align = right2 production by biomass gasification shows that the largest exergy losses occur in the gasifier.