Optimizing integration strategies for biomass gasification with natural gas pyrolysis under a low-carbon hydrogen enhancement approach: A financial and environmental perspective

Abstract

Integrating low-carbon hydrogen through “hydrogen enhancement” can notably increase carbon conversion efficiency in alcohol-based product synthesis, with potential improvements up to nearly double the typical rate. Producing low-carbon hydrogen via a natural gas pyrolysis system (NG-PS) offers a more economically viable approach compared to water electrolysis. This study evaluates and optimized strategies for incorporating natural gas pyrolysis into biomass-to-fuel conversion processes, focusing on the use of Rice Husk biomass as a case study for alcohol-based fuel production. The examined method includes Synthesis gas combustion, NG combustion, H₂ combustion, internal heat integration, and electrical heating to supply the necessary heat for pyrolysis. The analysis provides both technoeconomic and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission assessments. Results show that hydrogen-enhanced biomass use in fuel production can reduce GHG emissions by 81% based on a 100-year global warming potential (GWP), and by 72% based on a 20-year GWP, compared to conventional natural gas-based production methods.