Toluene as effective LOHC: detailed techno-economic assessment to identify challenges and opportunities

Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHC) are organic molecules that can be reversibly hydrogenated and dehydrogenated to release H2. Due to their easy transport and adaptability to the existing infrastructures, they are gaining attention in research panorama. However, despite their flexibility, LOHC are not yet exploited as large-scale energy storage/transport medium due to the too high costs. In this respect, this work is aimed at performing a detailed techno-economic assessment of H2 distribution through toluene as LOHC. Several scenarios are discussed, at variable distance covered via ship transport together with utilities and raw materials costs, to identify the weaknesses of the overall value-chain and know where to focus research efforts to improve the existing technologies.