Energy, exergy, economic and environmental (4-E) analyses of plasma gasification steam cycle integrated molten carbonate fuel cell for hydrogen and power co-generation based on residual waste feedstocks

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2023-05, Vol.48 (45), p.16971-16986
• Main Authors: Mallick, Roni, V, Prabu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 4-E analyses; Hydrogen; Molten carbonate fuel cell; Plasma gasification; Refused derived fuel
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.01.231

Two newly emerging technologies: (a) plasma gasification and (b) molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) are integrated for hydrogen and power production for various system configurations. Due to the emission concerns of fossil fuels, wastes such as refused derived fuel (RDF) is chosen as feedstock. The simulation of the power plants is performed using Aspen plus and consequently, 4-E (energy, exergy, economic and environmental) analyses are executed. The highest energy and exergy efficiencies attained are 54.12% and 52.02% for the system Syngas:CH4 [PSA: MCFC], respectively. Moreover, the cost of electricity considering all the configurations is ranged between 77.48 and 107.93 $/MWh while the LCOH is between 1.01 and 3.94 $/kg. Likewise, introduction of MCFC for 0:100 [PSA: MCFC] case reduced the annual CO2 emissions ∼5 times than of 100:0. Therefore, the 4-E analyses reported that integrated plasma gasification with MCFC introducing waste as feed could possibly favour H2 and power co-generation and a cleaner environment. •IPGST integrated with MCFC is simulated for hydrogen and power co-generation.•Refused Derived Fuel (RDF) of moderate calorific value is chosen as a feedstock.•Higher H2/CO ratio of 1.8 on average is obtained in syngas from plasma gasifier.•4-E analyses that includes energy, exergy, economic and environment are performed.•COE and LCOH within 77.48–107.93 $/MWh and 1.01–3.94 $/kg, respectively is achieved.