Modeling and simulation of a novel chemical process for clean hydrogen and power generation

The present work aims to develop a novel chemical process for clean hydrogen and power production and simulate it accordingly through a unique thermodynamic equilibrium model. This particular process is based on a partial oxidation of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) at superadiabatic conditions to study its respective chemical products. The simulation of superadiabatic partial oxidation of H2S is developed through the present model for the first time in the Aspen Plus. The process is further studied by varying different operating variables with an overall goal of optimizing the H2S conversion into hydrogen. The developed model predicts a satisfactory H2 production flow rate coupled with a low-sulfur dioxide (SO2) output within the superadiabatic partial oxidation regime at an operating pressure below 0.5 bar. The H2S conversion into H2 is then found to be 23.48 % at 0.25 bar. The overall energy and exergy efficiencies of the system are found to be 87.51 % and 70.08 % respectively. The dissociation of H2S in the presence of stoichiometric air results in elemental sulfur and hydrogen production rates of 0.0019 kg/s and 0.0012 kg/s, respectively.