Process Integration and optimization for sustainable and circular hydrogen production

With omnipresent issues concerning environmental degradation following the extensive use of fossil fuels, there is an urgent need to move towards more sustainable fuels such as hydrogen, which produces only water as by-product upon combustion. However, hydrogen production processes have limitations in terms of raw materials, process parameters and energy input which affects the sustainability of the product. As hydrogen demand is forecasted to increase, process optimization studies are favourable due to limited current work on this topic. In this paper, six hydrogen production processes are integrated into a superstructure with special consideration given to implementation of circular economies. Mathematical modelling of the superstructure then allows optimization of three case studies based on economic and environmental performance. This study shows the possibility of achieving zero net CO2 emissions through water electrolysis, provided that electricity generated with the produced hydrogen is used to power the plant. Gross profits of 1489.14 RM/hr and 4075.60 RM/hr show the potential of Palm Oil Biomass as feedstock. Overall, implementation of circular economy was found favourable to achieve sustainable production. This framework created has the potential to act as decision- making tool for policy makers to assist them in determining optimum hydrogen production pathways.