AUTHOR
Ahlström, Stefan

DATE
2004-05-24

DEPARTMENT
Applied Physics and Mechanical Engineering / Energy Engineering

SUMMARY
Global warming due to climate change is one of the most important environmentally issues today. It is a problem that has reached a level of global concern and during the last decade has the focus and discussion on global warming been intensified. By global warming means an increase of the average temperature on earth which increases the risk of catastrophic consequence for mankind. Carbon dioxide contributes to global warming and one of the biggest sources of carbon dioxide release is from the energy sector. In this project, a literature study has been done on what techniques exist to achieve a reduction of carbon dioxide. Focus on the study lies in techniques in the energy production from biomass with Carbon Capture and Storage, CCS to minimize the release of carbon dioxide. Today are most technologies under development. More studies on how to make them more effective and economical should be done before it can be fully implemented to the applications.

A detailed investigation of a process of hydrogen production from biomass, called Eprida process, is carried out with Aspen Plus, a process simulation tool. In the process, pyrolysis of biomass with reforming is used to produce hydrogen that will be used to manufacture ammonia. This ammonia, char from the pyrolysis and carbon dioxide from the exhaust gas can be further used to produce a fertilizer. Today, the manufacture of fertilizer is based on hydrogen from fossil fuels which will generate greenhouse gases in form of carbon dioxide. The Eprida process decreases the emissions of carbon dioxide by producing hydrogen from biomass and captures it in the fertilizer for a stable long-time storage. The process of the Eprida has been simulated and compared to an experimental test. The result show the trends of hydrogen production through modelling of pyrolysis is needed to be further improved.

ISSN 1402-1617 / ISRN LTU-EX--04/159--SE / NR 2004:159