Simulation-based environmental-impact assessment of glycerol-to-hydrogen conversion technologies

Abstract This simulation-based comparative assessment aims to quantify the environmental and human-health impacts of greener hydrogen (H2) production via three glycerol-based technologies, including: supercritical water reforming (SCWR), aqueous-phase (APR) autothermal (ATR). The GaBi (2018 edition) life-cycle (LCA) platform is used develop cradle-to-gate product system models for these technologies TRACI 2.1 methodology their midpoint impact categories. Aspen HYSYS (v11) process-simulation software generate inventory (LCI) primary data required produce 1 kg H2 each indicated glycerol-reforming technologies. Per ISO 14040:2006 reporting requirements LCA results interpretation step, base case (BC) scenarios four sensitivity (SS) are developed quantified compare effects different process electricity sources (US grid mix versus wind power) thermal energy (natural gas biogas) on results. high operating pressure (viz. 240 bar) SCWR enabled in situ generation offset some this technology. major insights from research as follows: (i) per produced H2, APR reduces CO2 emissions by ≈95% compared ATR ≈92% SCWR, (ii) BC scenarios, consumption (in MJ/kg H2) following order highest lowest: > (iii) glycerol more environmentally sustainable than ATR, thus offers a promising path production. Future sustainability studies should focus expanding scope study include electrolysis using renewable solar nuclear-driven thermochemical splitting.