Coal gasification hydrogen production costs

Table 6.6 summarizes the sensitivity of hydrogen from coal gasification to coal prices and overall process efficiency. The EIA forecasts coal prices of 1.25 /MBtu by 2020. A doubling of these prices would increase hydrogen production costs by 0.21 /kg. The results are not affected particularly by small changes in efficiency (-1-/—10%). 

Table 6.6. Coal gasification fuel price and efficiency sensitivity on hydrogen production costs ( /kg)...

Processes for hydrogen gasification, hydrogen pyrolysis, or coking of coal usually produce Hquid co-products. The Hygas process produces about 6% Hquids as benzene, toluene, and xylene. Substitution of petroleum residuum for the coal-derived process oil has been used in studies of coal Hquefaction and offers promise as a lower cost technology (104). 

The (additional) costs of C02 capture in connection with hydrogen production from natural gas or coal are mainly the costs for C02 drying and compression, as the hydrogen production process necessitates a separation of C02 and hydrogen anyway (even if the C02 is not captured). Total investments increase by about 5%-10% for coal gasification plants and 20%-35% for large steam-methane reformers (see also Chapter 10). 

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