Estudo de viabilidade econômica de geração de hidrogênio a partir da reforma do biogás de co-digestão de resíduos sólidos urbanos e lodo de estação de tratamento de efluentes para o estado de Minas Gerais

Abstract

Obtaining H2 from processes with low carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions has been of great interest in order to reduce environmental impacts. The use of biogas to replace fossil sources such as natural gas has been a promising alternative for the clean production of hydrogen (H2), which can be used in the energy and industrial sectors. The aim of this study was to assess the economic viability of using the H2 generated by biogas for 28 landfill consortia in the state of Minas Gerais. Two processes were analyzed: steam methane reforming (VSR) and pyrolysis reforming through an economic analysis using the net present value (NPV), levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) and internal rate of return (IRR) methods. The biogas production potential of the ASs was estimated, as well as their respective hydrogen potential. Installation (CAPEX) and operation and maintenance (OPEX) costs were estimated for the biogas purification and H2 production processes. The selling price of H2 as a fuel was estimated for each consortium. The capacity to obtain ammonia from H2 was determined, as well as the levelized cost of ammonia (LCOA). The installed capacity of the consortia analyzed ranged from 12,738.08 to 1,716,651.77 kg H2/year. The LCOH ranged from 9.44 R$/kg to 1,255.83 R$/kg. Comparing the three scenarios, the RMV without CO2 capture is the one that obtained the best economic results, however, this scenario had the greatest potential for CO2 emissions. The novelty of this study involves using biogas to obtain H2, and comparing RMV with pyrolysis. CIDES was the consortium that obtained the best economic results. Processes for reforming CH4 into H2 with zero CO2 emissions were the ones that obtained the highest LCOH values, which makes it uncompetitive with fossil sources and could make the project unviable. There is a need for public policies to encourage the production and use of H2 from biogas.