Techno-Economic Analysis of Coal-Based Hydrogen and Electricity Cogeneration Processes with CO2 Capture

The techno-economic performances of various coal-based hydrogen and electricity cogeneration processes are examined under a carbon-constrained scenario. The baseline coal gasification process and the novel membrane and syngas chemical-looping processes are evaluated. Aspen Plus simulation is first performed to analyze the process efficiencies on the basis of a common set of assumptions. This is followed by economic analysis using the cost analysis principles suggested by the U.S. Department of Energy [Cost and Performance Baseline for Fossil Energy Plants, 2007]. The results indicate that the novel membrane and syngas chemical-looping strategies have the potential to notably reduce the energy and cost penalties for CO2 capture in coal conversion processes.