(149aa) Synthesis of Decarbonized Hydrogen Production Processes Using the Attainable Region Framework

Hydrogen is an important feedstock in various industrial processes and has a potential to be an energy carrier. Its production is currently heavily reliant on fossil fuels, which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. There is currently significant effort to produce green hydrogen. This work uses an Attainable Region Framework to synthesize hydrogen production processes using carbon-free electricity as energy sources. The Attainable Region method is a powerful synthesis tool that enables the identification of achievable performance boundaries of a chemical process, considering thermodynamic and kinetic limitations.

We integrate the Attainable Region analysis with process modeling and optimization techniques to identify optimal configurations for various carbon-free electricity sources and hydrogen production methods. We also consider the integration of water electrolysis and hydrogen purification units, and account for different technological and economic factors such as efficiency, capital and operating costs, and carbon emissions. The results demonstrate that the Attainable Region approach can effectively identify the best design options for hydrogen production, with significant improvements in terms of process efficiency and sustainability compared to traditional methods. Furthermore, we highlight the potential of the approach to support decision-making and planning in the development of renewable hydrogen production systems, by providing a rigorous and systematic methodology that accounts for fundamental thermodynamic and material balance principles.