Hydrogen production by catalytic processing of renewable methane-rich gases

Biomass-derived methane-rich gases such as landfill gas (LFG), biogas and digester gas are promising renewable resources for near-future production of hydrogen. The technical and economical feasibility of hydrogen production via catalytic reforming of LFG and other methane-rich gases is evaluated in this paper. The thermodynamic equilibrium calculations and experimental measurements of reformation of methane-rich CH4–CO2 mixtures over Ni-based catalyst were conducted. The problems associated with the catalyst deactivation due to carbon lay down and effects of steam and oxygen on the process sustainability were explored. Two technological approaches distinguished by the mode of heat input to the endothermic process (i.e., external vs autothermal) were modeled using AspenPlusTMAspenPlusTM chemical process simulator and validated experimentally. A 5 kWth pilot unit for hydrogen production from LFG-mimicking CH4–CO2 mixture was fabricated and operated. A preliminary techno-economic assessment indicates that the liquid hydrogen production costs are in the range of $3.00–$7.00 per kilogram depending upon the plant capacity, the process heat input option and whether or not carbon sequestration is included in the process.