Volume 10: Sustainable Energy Solutions for Changing the World: Part II

Thermodynamic and economic analyses of a hybrid solar–wind–bioethanol hydrogen generation system via membrane reactor Bingzheng Wang , Xiaoli Yu, Jinwei Chang, Zhi Li , Hongsheng Wang

Abstract

A novel hybrid solar–wind–bioethanol hydrogen generation system via membrane reactor was proposed in this study. The thermodynamic and economic analyses were conducted at different bioethanol reforming working conditions under the actual weather situation of a year in DunHuang based on numerical simulation. The energy efficiency and standard coal saving rate (SCSR) from 300 °C to 500 °C (reaction temperature) and 0.005 bar to 0.25 bar (separation pressure) were studied. Under the design condition, the energy efficiency and SCSR can reach 52.55% and 1760.94 kg/year at 500 °C, 0.1 bar. Hydrogen generation rate and levelized cost under different photovoltaic area were researched and analyzed. The results showed that the hydrogen generation rate and levelized cost can be 394.15 kg/year and 4.56 $/kg. This study shows the feasibility of bioethanol reforming hydrogen production driven by renewable energy via membrane reactor.

Keywords bioethanol reforming, hydrogen production system, renewable energy sources, membrane reactor, clean energy conversion