Development of Sustainable Decarbonised Polygeneration Systems for Hydrogen, Fuel, Chemical and Energy Production

Funding: Self-funded

Project description

Transitioning towards more sustainable energy production and utilisation requires unlocking the full potential of energy feedstocks while responding to future market uncertainty and system complexity. Polygeneration offers a robust pathway to achieve this by enabling the simultaneous production of multiple energy vectors and value-added products within a single integrated system. Polygeneration systems are highly integrated, flexible, and robust process configurations capable of producing chemicals, fuels, hydrogen, heat, and power from a wide range of feedstocks. Their inherent flexibility allows them to adapt to fluctuating demand, evolving policy targets, and resource constraints. However, designing and optimising such complex systems remains a significant engineering challenge.

This PhD project focuses on the design, modelling, and sustainability assessment of advanced polygeneration systems using chemical engineering principles, process integration, and process intensification strategies. The research aims to maximise resource efficiency and minimise environmental impacts by recovering and valorising by-product and waste streams into useful products. The project will involve the development of integrated modelling and decision-support frameworks to evaluate system performance under different technological, economic, and environmental scenarios.

Key research components include:

• Computational modelling and optimisation: Process simulation and optimisation of polygeneration systems using tools such as Aspen Plus, Matlab, and GAMS. The project will also involve software development using Python.

• Sustainability assessment: Rigorous sustainability evaluation through techno-economic analysis (TEA) and environmental life cycle assessment (LCA). Experience with LCA software such as SimaPro will be developed and applied.

Related Publications

1. Ng, K.S., Martinez-Hernandez, E., 2020. Techno-economic assessment of an integrated bio-oil steam reforming and hydrodeoxygenation system for polygeneration of hydrogen, chemicals, and combined heat and power production, in Towards Sustainable Chemical Processes, J. Ren, Y. Wang, and C. He, (Ed.), p. 69-98, Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-818376-2.00003-X

2. Ng, K.S., Martinez Hernandez, E., 2016. A systematic framework for energetic, environmental and economic (3E) assessment and design of polygeneration systems, Chem Eng Res Des, 106: 1-25. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cherd.2015.11.017