CPH systems for cogeneration of power and hydrogen from coal

Three layouts with an integrated coal gasifier hydrogen production and a small powerplant section have been modelled using a computer code (ASPEN PLUSTMPLUSTM). The integration allows to eliminate or to reduce the losses at the condenser of the powerplant: the steam is reheated and fed to the gasifier. The resulting counterpressure operation of the powerplant is justified like in a co-generator of heat and power (CHP). In this case we have a co-generation of power and hydrogen (CPH). Therefore the efficiency of the power plant is not high, but it shows an “apparent” efficiency very high. Even if the concept has been demonstrated, further work is required because power generation is very small with respect to the hydrogen production.