Gasification of biomass can be used for obtaining hydrogen so reducing the greenhouse gases emissions due the fixation of CO2 during photosynthetic processes. The hydrolytic lignin residue is an appropriate raw material since it does not compete directly with the food chain and can be exploited for producing additional chemicals, power, combined heat and power. Indeed, the optimal use of this residue is a key factor for the economic and environmental sustainability of a bio-refinery, not only disposal costs can be avoided but also additional incomes can be provided. The work dealt the environmental potentials impacts of the production of hydrogen through gasification of this residue and to identify the hotspots of the process. An LCA study was developed for a 200 kWth gasification pilot plant using experimental data. Model was constructed using GaBi software in accordance with LCA leading Standards and ILCD Handbook recommendations. A gate-to-gate analysis of the gasification process was carried out and compared to a reference scenario consisting of hydrogen production by steam reforming of methane. LCA methodology was applied using global warming potential, acidification, eutrophication and the gross energy necessary for the production of 1 kg of hydrogen as impact categories.
Life cycle assessment of hydrogen production from biorefinery residues
Cerone N.;Contuzzi L.;Fatta V.;Viola E.;Zimbardi F.
2019-01-01
Abstract
Gasification of biomass can be used for obtaining hydrogen so reducing the greenhouse gases emissions due the fixation of CO2 during photosynthetic processes. The hydrolytic lignin residue is an appropriate raw material since it does not compete directly with the food chain and can be exploited for producing additional chemicals, power, combined heat and power. Indeed, the optimal use of this residue is a key factor for the economic and environmental sustainability of a bio-refinery, not only disposal costs can be avoided but also additional incomes can be provided. The work dealt the environmental potentials impacts of the production of hydrogen through gasification of this residue and to identify the hotspots of the process. An LCA study was developed for a 200 kWth gasification pilot plant using experimental data. Model was constructed using GaBi software in accordance with LCA leading Standards and ILCD Handbook recommendations. A gate-to-gate analysis of the gasification process was carried out and compared to a reference scenario consisting of hydrogen production by steam reforming of methane. LCA methodology was applied using global warming potential, acidification, eutrophication and the gross energy necessary for the production of 1 kg of hydrogen as impact categories.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
