Carbon‐negative hydrogen from ethanol via catalytic oxidative reforming.
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| Title: | Carbon‐negative hydrogen from ethanol via catalytic oxidative reforming. |
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| Authors: | Tan, Eric C. D.1 (AUTHOR) eric.tan@nrel.gov, Davis, Ryan1 (AUTHOR), Harrison, Jeffrey2 (AUTHOR) jbharrison@pcchydrogen.com, Fogarty, Timothy2 (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Biofuels, Bioproducts & Biorefining. Nov2025, Vol. 19 Issue 6, p1442-1450. 9p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Ethanol, *Cellulosic ethanol, *Carbon sequestration, *Green fuels, *Greenhouse gases, *Carbon dioxide mitigation, *Catalytic reforming |
| Abstract: | This study evaluated a commercial technology for producing low‐ or negative‐carbon hydrogen through ethanol catalytic oxidative reforming, focusing on the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions, or carbon intensity (CI). Various scenarios were analyzed: (a) comparing corn ethanol (first‐generation or Gen1 ethanol) and cellulosic ethanol (second‐generation or Gen2 ethanol) as feedstocks; (b) assessing carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) for CO2 from upstream fermentation; and (c) evaluating oxygen sourcing via air separation units vs. on‐site or off‐site water electrolysis using a proton exchange membrane. Findings indicate that the CI for hydrogen production using Gen2 ethanol from corn stover is lower than that of Gen1 corn ethanol. Additionally, using proton exchange membrane‐generated oxygen results in a lower CI than air separation unit‐generated oxygen, regardless of the sourcing method. Implementing CCS for the hydrogen production plant's evolved CO2 is essential for achieving a net‐negative CI for hydrogen from Gen1 ethanol. All examined scenarios, including both ethanol generations, oxygen sources, and CCS applications, demonstrated a net‐negative carbon intensity, surpassing the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions threshold of 0.45 kg CO2e/kg to enable policy credits as outlined in the Inflation Reduction Act §45V. In comparison, the CI for hydrogen from steam methane reforming stands at 3.4 kg CO2e/kg with CCS and 9.4 kg CO2e/kg without CCS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Database: | Energy & Power Source |
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| Abstract: | This study evaluated a commercial technology for producing low‐ or negative‐carbon hydrogen through ethanol catalytic oxidative reforming, focusing on the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions, or carbon intensity (CI). Various scenarios were analyzed: (a) comparing corn ethanol (first‐generation or Gen1 ethanol) and cellulosic ethanol (second‐generation or Gen2 ethanol) as feedstocks; (b) assessing carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) for CO2 from upstream fermentation; and (c) evaluating oxygen sourcing via air separation units vs. on‐site or off‐site water electrolysis using a proton exchange membrane. Findings indicate that the CI for hydrogen production using Gen2 ethanol from corn stover is lower than that of Gen1 corn ethanol. Additionally, using proton exchange membrane‐generated oxygen results in a lower CI than air separation unit‐generated oxygen, regardless of the sourcing method. Implementing CCS for the hydrogen production plant's evolved CO2 is essential for achieving a net‐negative CI for hydrogen from Gen1 ethanol. All examined scenarios, including both ethanol generations, oxygen sources, and CCS applications, demonstrated a net‐negative carbon intensity, surpassing the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions threshold of 0.45 kg CO2e/kg to enable policy credits as outlined in the Inflation Reduction Act §45V. In comparison, the CI for hydrogen from steam methane reforming stands at 3.4 kg CO2e/kg with CCS and 9.4 kg CO2e/kg without CCS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 1932104X |
| DOI: | 10.1002/bbb.2760 |
