Evaluation of hydrogen production from metallurgical flue gases using Aspen Plus simulation software
Systematic methods and tools for managing the complexity
Process Simulation and Optimization (T4-9P)
Keywords: hydrogen, reforming, simulation, coke oven gas
Evaluation of hydrogen production from metallurgical flue gases using Aspen Plus simulation software
E. Turpeinen*& R.L. Keiski
University of Oulu, Department of Process and Environmental Engineering,
Mass and Heat Transfer Process Laboratory,
P.O.Box 4300, FIN-90014 UNIVERSITY OF OULU,
E-mail addresses: esa.turpeinen@oulu.fi, riitta.keiski@oulu.fi
*corresponding author
Introduction:
Hydrogen has a great potential as an environmentally clean energy fuel. Hydrogen can be produced from almost any carbon containing source ranging from natural gas to biomass [1]. Steam reforming of natural gas is the preferred process for hydrogen and synthesis gas production today [2]. In different industrial sectors, for example in metallurgical industry, many exploitable gas streams for hydrogen production exist. Coke oven gas, referred to as COG, is produced during the carbonization of coal in coke oven plants. It contains over 50% hydrogen and is a high potential source for pure hydrogen. The chemical conversion of coke oven gas into a hydrogen rich gas can be done by reforming of the crude gas. The objective of the present study is to evaluate, using Aspen Plus simulation software, different processes to produce hydrogen.
Simulations:
Thermodynamic calculation is a useful and practical tool for designing new or alternative processes, particularly in determining favourable reaction conditions and in evaluating required material and energy flows. In this study material and energy balances are calculated using Aspen Plus simulation software for different hydrogen producing processes. By means of calculations it is possible to compare and assess various processes.
Conclusions:
The material and energy balances simulated by Aspen Plus show that it is possible to produce hydrogen using metallurgical industry’s flue gases as a feedstock. Compared to the mature natural gas based reforming processes, like e.g. steam reforming, flue gas-based hydrogen manufacturing processes are competitive in terms of the energy cost. In addition, specific CO2 emissions into the atmosphere in flue gas-based reforming processes are lower than in the reforming cases used as references.
References:
[1] Rostrup-Nielsen, J. R., Sehested, J. & Norskov, J.K. Hydrogen and Synthesis Gas by Steam and CO2 Reforming. Advances in Catalysis 47 (2002) 65-139.
[2] Rostrup-Nielsen, J. R. New Aspects of Syngas Production and Use. Catalysis Today 63 (2000) 159-164.
Presented Wednesday 19, 13:30 to 15:00, in session Process Simulation and Optimization (T4-9P).
