Exergoeconomic analysis of a chemical looping reforming plant for hydrogen production

Chemical looping reforming (CLR) is an innovative way of producing hydrogen (H2) from fossil fuels with inherent carbon dioxide (CO2) capture capability. An exergoeconomic analysis has been performed on the plant consisting of a CLR system, a steam cycle which incorporates triple pressure heat recovery steam generator (HRSG), and H2 and CO2 compression systems. This study employs an Aspen plus model to obtain the thermodynamic data required from exergetic and exergoeconomic analyses. The results show that the system efficiencies are highly dependent on the reactor temperatures which, consequently, influence the plant outputs. The results from exergoeconomic analysis show that the specific costs for H2 and net power are 2.9 $/GJ and 26.7 $/GJ, respectively. HRSG and CLR units are the most important components. The cost rate of capital investment and the cost rate associated with the exergy destruction are the dominant factors for HRSG and CLR units, respectively.