Tapping the benefits of using geothermal energy and absorption refrigeration system in the precooling part of a hydrogen liquefaction cycle

Given the importance of using renewable energy sources in industries, using methods of energy storage is a crucial topic. The use of renewable energy sources and water electrolysis for the production of power and hydrogen gas has received much attention in recent years, therefore, in this method, hydrogen gas and oxygen are separated from water without any pollution, hydrogen production in processes with zero carbon emission is known as green hydrogen, which is used in this research. Geothermal energy is used to precool the hydrogen gas. The innovation of this research is to propose an idea to integrate geothermal energy into a hydrogen liquefaction cycle which is fed by solar energy. Solar arrays have been used to power proton membrane electrolyzers and liquefaction sections, and Bandar Abbas  City has been considered for implementing the proposed system. The power generation capacity of solar arrays is ۶۰۰۰ kilowatts, while the separation capacity of the electrolyzer is ۴۳۵ kg/hour of oxygen gas and ۵۵ kg/hour of hydrogen gas. The specific energy consumption of the liquefaction cycle is ۴.۹۷ kWh per kilogram of liquid hydrogen, and the most exergy destruction is related to the electrolyzer and the heat exchangers. The hydrogen liquefaction cycle with and without the geothermal and absorption refrigeration system is evaluated.

Keywords:

Hydrogen , Geothermal , Solar Energy , PEM , Water-ammonia absorption