Hydrogen production from wet biomass via a formic acid route under mild conditions

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 62; pp. 959 - 968
• Main Authors: Kroll, Fabian, Schörner, Markus, Schmidt, Matthias, Kohler, Florian T.U., Albert, Jakob, Schühle, Patrick
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 10.04.2024
• Subjects: Biomass oxidation; Decentral production; Formic acid; Hydrogen; Technoeconomic analysis; Technoeconomic analysis; Decentral production; Biomass oxidation; Hydrogen; Formic acid
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.03.163

Renewable Hydrogen is a key building block for a sustainable energy economy. An attractive resource for its production is waste biomass. This contribution analyses a promising new Biomass-to-H2 two-step approach, consisting of (1) biomass oxidation to formic acid and methyl formate in the so-called OxFA-Process and (2) hydrogen generation by dehydrogenation or decarbonylation of these intermediates. This contribution explains a novel hydrogen production concept and compares three distinct process routes for their efficient implementation. By using Aspen Plus® V12 the process was designed and optimized to achieve maximum hydrogen yield. An economic analysis allowed to compare the different characteristics of each process concept and to select the most promising option. The chosen concept was subject to a detailed cost and sensitivity analysis showing that this new route has high potential and competitiveness for hydrogen production from waste biomass. [Display omitted] •Novel catalytic concept for renewable H2 production from waste biomass via intermediate formic acid and methyl formate.•The mild operating conditions of the novel concept are favourable for decentralized hydrogen production.•Process simulation allowed the selection of the most economic process route for hydrogen production.•Economic feasibility of the novel route for hydrogen production for biomass wastes is demonstrated.