Hydrogen production from self-heating adsorption-enhanced biomass gasification based on Aspen Plus

In the context of the “dual carbon” goals, biomass energy, as a key component of renewable energy, is gradually becoming an important technological pathway to achieve carbon neutrality. Self-heating adsorption-enhanced biomass gasification （SSEG）, as an emerging gasification technology, demonstrates significant advantages in improving hydrogen production and reducing carbon emissions through the synergistic effect of adsorption and gasification. Therefore, the self-heating adsorption-enhanced biomass gasification coupled with steam reforming （SSEG−SR） process was proposed. The process is modeled and simulated using Aspen Plus software, with thermodynamic modeling of the gasification and reforming processes conducted through a Gibbs reactor. Physical property estimations are performed using the Peng-Robinson cubic equation of state combined with the Boston-Mathias function. A comprehensive analysis of the SSEG−SR process chain is conducted from aspects of material flow, energy flow, economic viability, and environmental impact. The accuracy and reliability of the model construction are verified by comparing the simulation results with existing experimental and industrial operation data. Material flow analysis indicates that the SSEG−SR process consumes 7.63 tons of biomass feedstock to produce 1 ton of hydrogen, with a hydrogen conversion rate of 77.35%. Energy analysis shows that, of the 7 468.11 kW input energy to the system, 279.99 kW is used for gasification energy supply, and 4362.52 kW is converted into hydrogen energy, with an overall system energy conversion efficiency of 58.42%. Economic analysis reveals that the total capital investment for the SSEG system is 9.2×10⁸ Ұ, which is 1.2 times that of a coal-to-hydrogen plant of the same scale, with the final hydrogen cost being 18.2 Ұ/kg. Environmental analysis shows that the global warming potential （GWP） and acidification potential （AP） of the SSEG−SR process are 1 036.83 kg and 6.40 kg, respectively. The development and application of the SSEG−SR process provides theoretical support, playing a significant role in advancing the adoption of efficient, low-carbon biomass conversion technologies within the green hydrogen industry. It accelerates the transition to sustainable energy under the dual carbon goals.