IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/energy/v316y2025ics0360544225002518.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Hydrogen generation system with zero carbon emission based on synergistic conversion of methane and solar energy

Author

Listed:
  • Ma, Wenjing
  • Han, Wei
  • Liu, Qibin
  • Song, Xinyang
  • Li, Jichao
  • Zhang, Na
  • Xu, Gang

Abstract

This paper proposes a hydrogen generation system with zero carbon emissions based on the synergistic conversion of methane and solar energy. It was divided into high-temperature reforming and low-temperature solar-assisted pre-reforming. The pre-reforming reactants were methane and a portion of the flue gas. The oxygen from the electrolyzer and the purge gas from the pressure-swing adsorption unit are burned to heat the reformer. The other portion of the flue gas was condensed and the carbon dioxide separated to achieve zero emission. The energy and exergy analyses indicate that the proposed system can achieve a methane chemical energy utilization rate of 91.48 % without sacrificing hydrogen recovery. Simultaneously, it was found that the conversion rate of solar energy to hydrogen chemical energy using photothermal-thermochemical technology was 32.66 percentage points higher than that using photovoltaic-electrochemical technology. The energy and exergy efficiencies of the proposed system were 42.88 % and 39.21 %, respectively, which were 4.76 and 4.53 percentage points higher than those of the reference system. The exergy utilization diagram analysis result then revealed the mechanism of irreversible loss formation during the combustion and reforming process. Finally, the influence of pre-reforming and reforming temperature on system performance was studied.

Suggested Citation

  • Ma, Wenjing & Han, Wei & Liu, Qibin & Song, Xinyang & Li, Jichao & Zhang, Na & Xu, Gang, 2025. "Hydrogen generation system with zero carbon emission based on synergistic conversion of methane and solar energy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 316(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:316:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225002518
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.134609
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544225002518
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.energy.2025.134609?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lambert, Jean & Sorin, Mikhail & Paris, Jean, 1997. "Analysis of oxygen-enriched combustion for steam methane reforming (SMR)," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 22(8), pages 817-825.
    2. Celik Toker, Serpil & Kizilkan, Onder & Nižetić, Sandro, 2024. "Development and modeling of power, hydrogen and freshwater production based on a novel double-flash geothermal power plant," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 309(C).
    3. Li, Xiaodong & Jinxi, Wang, 2023. "A novel process for the simultaneous production of methanol, oxygen, and electricity using a PEM electrolyzer and agricultural-based landfill gas-fed oxyfuel combustion power plant," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 284(C).
    4. Qu, Wanjun & Hong, Hui & Li, Qiang & Xuan, Yimin, 2018. "Co-producing electricity and solar syngas by transmitting photovoltaics and solar thermochemical process," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 217(C), pages 303-313.
    5. Kumar, S. Shiva & Ni, Aleksey & Himabindu, V. & Lim, Hankwon, 2023. "Experimental and simulation of PEM water electrolyser with Pd/PN-CNPs electrodes for hydrogen evolution reaction: Performance assessment and validation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 348(C).
    6. Sheykhlou, Hossein & Mohammadi Aghdash, Mehdi & Jafarmadar, Samad & Aryanfar, Yashar, 2023. "Multi-aspect prediction of the sensitivity of thermodynamic/thermoeconomic performance metrics of an innovative solar-driven trigeneration system utilizing thermal energy storage," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 284(C).
    7. Pashchenko, Dmitry & Makarov, Ivan, 2021. "Carbon deposition in steam methane reforming over a Ni-based catalyst: Experimental and thermodynamic analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 222(C).
    8. Sui, Jiyuan & Chen, Zhennan & Wang, Chen & Wang, Yueyang & Liu, Jianhong & Li, Wenjia, 2020. "Efficient hydrogen production from solar energy and fossil fuel via water-electrolysis and methane-steam-reforming hybridization," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 276(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Xin, Yu & Xing, Xueli & Li, Xiang & Hong, Hui, 2024. "A biomass–solar hybrid gasification system by solar pyrolysis and PV– Solid oxide electrolysis cell for sustainable fuel production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 356(C).
    2. Hong, Wenpeng & Li, Boyu & Li, Haoran & Niu, Xiaojuan & Li, Yan & Lan, Jingrui, 2022. "Recent progress in thermal energy recovery from the decoupled photovoltaic/thermal system equipped with spectral splitters," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    3. Liang, Huaxu & Wang, Fuqiang & Yang, Luwei & Cheng, Ziming & Shuai, Yong & Tan, Heping, 2021. "Progress in full spectrum solar energy utilization by spectral beam splitting hybrid PV/T system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    4. Zhao, Ning & Wang, Jiangjiang, 2024. "Solar full spectrum management in low and medium temperature light-driven chemical hydrogen synthesis - A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).
    5. Wang, Bingzheng & Lu, Xiaofei & Zhang, Cancan & Wang, Hongsheng, 2022. "Cascade and hybrid processes for co-generating solar-based fuels and electricity via combining spectral splitting technology and membrane reactor," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 196(C), pages 782-799.
    6. Su, Chao & Chen, Zhidong & Wu, Zexuan & Zhang, Jing & Li, Kaiyang & Hao, Junhong & Kong, Yanqiang & Zhang, Naiqiang, 2024. "Experimental and numerical study of thermal coupling on catalyst-coated membrane for proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 357(C).
    7. Qiu, K. & Hayden, A.C.S., 2009. "Increasing the efficiency of radiant burners by using polymer membranes," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 86(3), pages 349-354, March.
    8. Chen, Jingxian & Wang, Sen & Sun, Yongwen & Zhang, Cunman & Lv, Hong, 2025. "Multi-dimensional performance evaluation and energy analysis of proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 377(PB).
    9. Ye, Yang & Ding, Jing & Wang, Weilong & Yan, Jinyue, 2021. "The storage performance of metal hydride hydrogen storage tanks with reaction heat recovery by phase change materials," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 299(C).
    10. Karol Tucki & Olga Orynycz & Andrzej Wasiak & Arkadiusz Gola & Leszek Mieszkalski, 2022. "Potential Routes to the Sustainability of the Food Packaging Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-18, March.
    11. Wu, Zhihong & Huang, Zexuan & Yang, Jian & Gkogkos, Georgios & Wang, Qiuwang, 2024. "Numerical investigation of methane steam reforming in the packed bed installed with the fin-metal foam," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 307(C).
    12. Fang, Juan & Dong, Hao & Huo, Hailong & Yi, Xiaoping & Wen, Zhi & Liu, Qibin & Liu, Xunliang, 2023. "Thermodynamic performance of solar full-spectrum electricity generation system integrating photovoltaic cell with thermally-regenerative ammonia battery," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 332(C).
    13. Bhandari, Ramchandra & Shah, Ronak Rakesh, 2021. "Hydrogen as energy carrier: Techno-economic assessment of decentralized hydrogen production in Germany," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 915-931.
    14. Abdulrazzak Akroot & Mohamed Almaktar & Feras Alasali, 2024. "The Integration of Renewable Energy into a Fossil Fuel Power Generation System in Oil-Producing Countries: A Case Study of an Integrated Solar Combined Cycle at the Sarir Power Plant," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-29, June.
    15. Li, Jinyu & Yang, Zhengda & Ge, Yi & Wang, Yiya & Dong, Qiwei & Wang, Xinwei & Lin, Riyi, 2024. "Performance study of photovoltaic-thermochemical hybrid system with Cassegrain concentrator and spectral splitting integration," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 292(C).
    16. Wang, Qiushi & Duan, Liqiang & Zheng, Nan & Lu, Ziyi, 2023. "4E Analysis of a novel combined cooling, heating and power system coupled with solar thermochemical process and energy storage," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 275(C).
    17. Pashchenko, Dmitry & Mustafin, Ravil & Mustafina, Anna, 2021. "Steam methane reforming in a microchannel reformer: Experiment, CFD-modelling and numerical study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 237(C).
    18. Zhang, Zhiping & Ai, Fuke & Zhang, Haorui & Zhang, Huan & Zhu, Shengnan & Zhang, Quanguo & Li, Yameng, 2023. "Synergetic effect evaluation of light and mass transfer enhancement strategies on photo fermentative biohydrogen production process: Illumination, shake, and high solid level," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 269(C).
    19. Aliyu, Mansur & Abdelhafez, Ahmed & Nemitallah, Medhat A. & Said, Syed A.M. & Habib, Mohamed A., 2022. "Effects of adiabatic flame temperature on flames’ characteristics in a gas-turbine combustor," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 243(C).
    20. Karthikeyan, B. & Praveen Kumar, G. & Basa, Soumen & Sinha, Shubhankar & Tyagi, Shikhar & Kamat, Param & Prabakaran, Rajendran & Kim, Sung Chul, 2025. "Strategic optimization of large-scale solar PV parks with PEM Electrolyzer-based hydrogen production, storage, and transportation to minimize hydrogen delivery costs to cities," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 377(PD).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:316:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225002518. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.