Techno-economic study and process simulation for a small-scale hydrogen production plant based on ammonia decomposition.

Hydrogen is a carbon-free fuel and can be expected to play a significant role in the global clean energy transition. In this study, two proposed small-scale hydrogen production plant configurations were designed and simulated for high-purity hydrogen production at a rate of 25 kg H2 /day. The feasibility and economic viability of the proposed plant configurations were examined. Additionally, the performance and sensitivity analysis were assessed under different operating conditions. Configuration A proposed to use two reactors for ammonia cracking and H 2 separation, respectively. Configuration B considers that the decomposition of ammonia and H 2 separation simultaneously occurs in a single integrated reactor. Despite the configuration B was more energy efficient than configuration A but both configurations are applicable. The total H 2 production cost of configuration A was 6.39 $/kg H2 and that of configuration B was 6.06 $/kg H2. Since the proposed plant configurations generated both hydrogen and nitrogen, the total cost of production was distributed between them. Therefore, the final H 2 and N 2 separation costs of configuration A was 5.05 $/kg H2 and 1.14 $/kg N2 , and configuration B was 4.72 $/kg H2 and 1.08 $/kg N2. The hydrogen production cost from different ammonia synthesis pathways was compared. The technology readiness level (TRL) for hydrogen production from ammonia cracking was assessed and identified at a range of TRL 4–6. It can also be considered that the ammonia synthesis pathway controlled the ammonia prices and subsequently the hydrogen production cost. • Two proposed configurations were designed for H 2 production from blue NH 3. • Techno-economic assessment was performed for small-scale H 2 plants. • The final H 2 cost of proposed configuration A was higher than configuration B. • The H 2 production cost from different NH 3 synthesis pathways was also compared. • The pathway of NH 3 synthesis influenced the prices of NH 3 and H 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]