Process Optimization And Life Cycle Assessment In a 10MWth food waste chemical looping gasification system for hydrogen production

The present study involved an in-depth simulation and evaluation of a 10 MW th food waste chemical looping gasification to hydrogen system, conducted using Aspen Plus process simulation software. The study extensively investigated process optimization, economic evaluation, and the environmental impacts associated with the application of this technology. The simulation results showed that maintaining a fuel reactor temperature at 850°C, an H 2 O/C ratio of 0.6, and an O/C of 0.45 yielded an H 2 /CO of 1.718, Y of 1.209 m 3 /kg, and CEG of 51.78 %. Life cycle assessment indicated favorable outcomes concerning environmental impacts. Particularly, the system operational in the Qingdao region showed a global warming potential of 1763.5 kgCO 2-eq and an acidification potential of 16.77 kgSO 2-eq . Economic analysis revealed that the system offers substantial economic benefits with a return on investment of 11.23 %, a payback period of 6.283 years, and a net present value of 1.201 × 10 6 $. The cost of this process significantly undercuts that of renewable hydrogen production , providing considerable environmental advantages by effectively utilizing waste resources and reducing waste disposal issues. Given its cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits, chemical looping gasification technology for hydrogen production from food waste holds wide-ranging future application potential.