Techno-Economic Evaluation and Life-Cycle Analysis of Intensified Carbon Capture for Large-Scale Blue Hydrogen Production

Hydrogen production from fossil fuels with carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) otherwise known as blue hydrogen (H2) production is a low-carbon fuel source. Hydrogen can be used as an energy source (in industries) or as a material feedstock in industrial processes such as ammonia synthesis, methanol and steel production. Steam methane reforming (SMR), the most utilised approach for (over 90%) hydrogen production from natural gas and light hydrocarbons globally, emits CO2 as a by-product. CO2 is a greenhouse gas responsible for climate change. Thus, there is a need to direct CO2 emissions reduction efforts at the hydrogen production process. Post-combustion carbon capture process using solvents can be applied for blue hydrogen production, but faces challenges of high capital and operating costs. This study aims to conduct a detailed techno-economic evaluation and life-cycle analysis of intensified CO2 capture process using different solvents for large scale blue hydrogen production and compare their performance based on energy consumption and cost with PCC process using MEA. The research will be carried out through process modelling, simulation and optimisation. 

Please see this link for information on how to apply: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/cbe/postgraduate/phd/how-apply. Please include the name of your proposed supervisor and the title of the PhD project within your application.

Applicants should have a minimum of an upper second class honours degree in chemical engineering, chemistry, bioscience or a related technical subject. If English is not your first language then you must have an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) average of 6.5 or above with at least 6.0 in each component, or equivalent. Please see this link for further information: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/phd/apply/english-language.

For further information, please contact Professor Meihong Wang on meihong.wang@sheffield.ac.uk.