Bridging Blue and Green Hydrogen

August 8th, 2022

R&D Focus Areas:
Electrolysis, Fossil fuel conversion, Energy systems integration

Lead Organisation:
University of Western Australia

Funding:
Future Energy Exports CRC (Research Project)

Status:
Completed

Start date:
May 2022

Project summary description:
This project considered the combined production of blue and green hydrogen, exploring the potential for both cost and CO2 emissions reduction, whilst also considering the various logistical and operational challenges posed by integration. The link in this case is use of autothermal reforming (ATR) of methane or coal gasification (CG) for blue hydrogen production with the required oxygen feed being provide via the electrolysis of water for green hydrogen production.

Researchers produced a dynamic ASPEN simulation of an integrated blue and green hydrogen production process and compared this against separate blue and green hydrogen production. Both ATR of methane and coal gasification (CG) of lignite were considered for blue hydrogen production whilst proton exchange membranes (PEM) electrolysis was considered for green hydrogen production. Detailed case studies were executed for locations in the vicinity of Karratha (ATR) and the Latrobe Valley (GC) respectively. Total cost (levelised cost of hydrogen (LCOH) and emission intensity (kg-CO2e/Kg-H2) were finally determined and compared.

Further information:
Bridging Blue and Green Hydrogen (21.RP2.0085) – Completed – Future Energy Exports (fenex.org.au)

 

Reviewed: October 2024