Hydrogen production via gasification of corn stover: modeling and simulation using Aspen Plus?

The gasification of biomass is one of the most promising technologies for the sustainable production of hydrogen. Although several studies have been conducted on biomass gasification, a detailed numerical investigation of factors affecting hydrogen production and optimization of experimental variables are required. In addition, a comprehensive kinetic model that accounts for specific reactions encountered during biomass gasification is needed to simulate the effect of experimental conditions on hydrogen production. Therefore, in this study, a kinetic model for gasification of corn stover is developed and simulated in Aspen Plus (R). Furthermore, the effect of key variables, i.e. gasification temperature, selection of proper gasifying agent, hydrogen production efficiency (HPE), higher heating value (HHV), and lower heating value (LHV), of the produced hydrogen have been investigated in order to select the optimal process conditions. Results indicate that a maximum HPE of 59% is obtained for steam gasification, whereas air gasification yielded an HPE of 26%, implying that steam as a gasifying agent demonstrated increased hydrogen production. Further, the optimized gasifying agent flow rate in both cases is observed to be 1200 kg/h (steam or air) at 900 degree celsius. The energy and economic analysis of this study indicates the viability of the presented approach.