Energy, exergy, and environmental analyses of renewable hydrogen production through plasma gasification of microalgal biomass

In this study, an energy, exergy, and environmental (3E) analyses of a plasma-assisted hydrogen production process from microalgae is investigated. Four different microalgal biomass fuels, namely, raw microalgae (RM) and three torrefied microalgal fuels (TM200, TM250, and TM300), are used as the feedstock for steam plasma gasification to generate syngas and hydrogen. The effects of steam-to-biomass (S/B) ratio on the syngas and hydrogen yields, and energy and exergy efficiencies of plasma gasification (ηEn,PG, ηEx,PG) and hydrogen production (ηEn,H2, ηEx,H2) are taken into account. Results show that the optimal S/B ratios of RM, TM200, TM250, and TM300 are 0.354, 0.443, 0.593, and 0.760 respectively, occurring at the carbon boundary points (CBPs), where the maximum values of ηEn,PG, ηEx,PG, ηEn,H2, and ηEx,H2 are also achieved. At CBPs, torrefied microalgae as feedstock lower the ηEn,PG, ηEx,PG, ηEn,H2, and ηEx,H2 because of their improved calorific value after undergoing torrefaction, and the increased plasma energy demand compared to the RM. However, beyond CBPs the torrefied feedstock displays better performance. A comparative life cycle analysis indicates that TM300 exhibits the highest greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions and the lowest net energy ratio (NER), due to the indirect emissions associated with electricity consumption. •A renewable hydrogen production plant via plasma gasification of microalgae is modeled.•Plasma gasification performances of various microalgal biomass materials are investigated.•The optimal operating conditions of four microalgal biomass fuels are provided.•The syngas and hydrogen yields are improved by using torrefied microalgae.•Electricity consumption is the most remarkable contributor to the life cycle greenhouse gases emissions.