MODELLING AND EXERGETIC TECHNO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF A SYSTEM FOR HYDROGEN PRODUCTION FROM EMPTY BANANA FRUIT BUNCH

One of the most effective and reliable methods for generating hydrogen fuel using biomass is the gasification method. However, utilization of different biomass feedstock has the ability to withstand production of syngas which can be utilized for several applications. The study investigated the feasibility of hydrogen from Empty Banana Fruit Bunch (EBFB) biomass and the energetic techno-economic analyses of biomass gasification plant with a developed system simulation model aspen plus simulator V11. Five chemical reactions were used in production process and were simulated in ASPEN Plus simulator through biomass gasification method which aimed in removing C, CO, CO2, CH4, and H2O to convert them into hydrogen gas. However, the total exergy out divided by the total exergy in gives exergy efficiency. Hence, total exergy out subtracted from total exergy in depicts exergy destruction. The exego-economic method utilized in the exergo-economic analyses is the Specific Cost method (SPECO). The results affirmed that 80.465 kg/hr of H2 can be produced from 2000 kg/hr of empty banana fruit bunch at every 39.92 k.mol/hr mole flow of EBFB. However, at a temperature below 900 0C CO decreases, CO2 increases. Above 1000 0C, CO increases hence decreases CO2 emission. The system total exergy in, total exergy out, percentage exergy efficiency, and exergy destruction are 4534.77 kJ/kg, 3857.295 kJ/kg, 0.8506 %, and 677.475 kJ/kg. Hence, system exergy stream cost rate, component-related cost rate, component-related cost difference, and component exergoeconomic factor are 407527.644$/h 1555.57$/h, 0.5679%, and 0.9089% respectively. Further studies may concentrate on how to reduce CO through regulated temperature and pressure differences so as to increase the quantity of hydrogen production.