Producing industrial hydrogen from biomass
In case anyone is curious as to how bio-gassification compares to electrolysis (or a hybrid process), I found this 2009 paper [1] that sums it up decently (at least with the technology available at the time):<p>(Note: SEK := Swedish Krone; currently ~$0.11USD and was roughly the same in 2009)<p>Abstract: &quot;An integrated system for the production of hydrogen by gasification of biomass and electrolysis of water has been designed and cost estimated. The electrolyser provides part of the hydrogen product as well as the oxygen required for the oxygen blown gasifier. The production cost was estimated to 39 SEK&#x2F;kg H2 at an annual production rate of 15 000 ton, assuming 10% interest rate and an economic lifetime of 15 years. Employing gasification only to produce the same amount of hydrogen, leads to a cost figure of 37 SEK&#x2F;kg H2, and for an electrolyser only a production cost of 41 SEK&#x2F;kg H2. The distribution of capital and operating cost is quite different for the three options and a sensitivity analyses was performed for all of these. However, the lowest cost hydrogen produced with either method is at least twice as expensive as hydrogen from natural gas steam reforming.&quot;<p>In addition to a dollar-to-dollar comparison, however, I think a Carbon-to-Carnon byproduct comparison is also warranted. If you don&#x27;t have to pay for geo-sequestration (or the messy supply of grass compared to piped in water), is the small cost increase of electrolysis over bio-gas more than compensated for?<p>As an H2 advocate myself (as an industrial transportation battery alternative), actively looking to boost H2 fuel supply infrastructure, I would be interested to hear from Chimere (OP co-founder) on this point. I ask, because I don&#x27;t know the answer.<p>1.) <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.sciencedirect.com&#x2F;science&#x2F;article&#x2F;pii&#x2F;S0360319908014481" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.sciencedirect.com&#x2F;science&#x2F;article&#x2F;pii&#x2F;S036031990...</a>