Abstract
Hydrogen used as a reactant in the refining process for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) demands significant attention. Environmentally friendly and high energy content syngas produced optimally through oxy-steam biomass gasification could be a viable route for renewable hydrogen. This research study delves into the motivation of producing renewable hydrogen from softwood to meet the required objectives. It has aimed to optimise the key operating parameters of a novel fixed bed gasification technology developed by a partner company BiSTEMS and to define a suitable gas cleaning process with sequential units capable of delivering maximum renewable hydrogen and impurities levels compatible with in the refining of Hydrotreated Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) based SAF. Data from experimental findings, previous research studies, and technical information from industrial operators were gathered to complement the subject matter, draw on the process layout, and accomplish the process simulation using DWSIM. The results attained so far indicate reducing the presence of oxygen, trace inert elements, methane, CO, and CO2 for achieving the requisite hydrogen quality. Obtaining a higher H2/CO ratio and incorporating an effective cleaning method integrated with the gasification technology is pivotal for achieving clean hydrogen-rich syngas and the highest possible renewable hydrogen output. Further research endeavours will focus on completing the process simulation and performing a techno-economic assessment to confirm the economic scale-up of the entire process under the well-suited scenarios.