Kaitano, Caroline2025-07-102024Kaitano, Caroline . (2024). A Process Systems Analysis Towards Hydrogen Pathways Optimisation [Masters dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg]. WIReDSpace. https://hdl.handle.net/10539/45381https://hdl.handle.net/10539/45381A research report submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Science in Engineering, In the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment , School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024Hydrogen is garnering increasing attention as a promising and eco-friendly energy carrier, holding the potential to address global energy and environmental challenges. The emergence of the hydrogen economy is a pivotal technological leap forward in future energy systems. Its central objective is to generate hydrogen primarily from abundant energy sources, thus mitigating our dependence on fossil fuels across industries, businesses, residences, and transportation sectors. At its core, the hydrogen economy encompasses essential facets, including the generation, dissemination, transformation, and retention of hydrogen gas and its diverse applications. Establishing efficient hydrogen production processes represents a critical stride toward the overarching global objective of constructing an economy that revolves around hydrogen as a principal energy carrier, capable of providing a substantial portion of our energy needs and services. The work in this dissertation comprehensively explores hydrogen production pathways by applying a superstructure approach, encompassing various options. A comprehensive database comprising 19 distinct hydrogen production pathways is established in this study. These pathways are subjected to a rigorous analysis, considering availability, environmental sustainability, and economic costs. The overarching goal is to discern the most feasible routes for hydrogen production. The framework devised in this research systematically narrows the initial 19 pathways to a final selection of three, achieving an impressive 84 % reduction in the search space. Among these, the pathway involving steam reforming with carbon capture at 1230 K and 10 bar emerges as the most promising option for hydrogen generation. Having identified the optimal reaction pathway, the focus of the study shifts beyond the framework towards the process design and optimisation of this specific route. After a thorough post-optimisation analysis, it is concluded that the steam reformer operates most favorably under a temperature of 908 K and a pressure of 10 bar. This optimised pathway boasts a remarkable 48 % conversion of methane, underscoring its exceptional environmental and economic advantages. iv This dissertation not only elucidates the systematic framework employed in synthesizing and evaluating the hydrogen pathways superstructure, leading to a significantly reduced search space, but also delves into the intricacies of process design and optimization for the most viable hydrogen production pathway. In doing so, it contributes valuable insights and a structured methodology to the field of hydrogen energy research, offering a blueprint for sustainable and efficient hydrogen production in the pursuit of a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.en© 2024 University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.UCTDHydrogen EconomyOptimisationModelingMulti-criteri decision-making Energy trilemmaSustainabilityDissertationUniversity of the Witwatersrand, JohannesburgSDG-7: Affordable and clean energy