A comparative techno-economic feasibility of hydrogen production from sugarcane bagasse and bread waste

An increase in the emphasis on sustainable energy solutions underscores a vital need for hydrogen as a clean, decarbonizing, and efficient energy carrier. This necessity is driving extensive research into alternative feedstocks for hydrogen production. Promising resources like sugarcane bagasse and bread waste, valued for their abundance and high sugar content, can be a promising feedstock for hydrogen. Processes, such as steam reforming of ethanol and aqueous-phase reforming of xylitol, effectively utilize sugarcane bagasse and bread waste to produce hydrogen, supporting a circular bioeconomy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. This study aims to investigate the process design and techno-economic feasibility of hydrogen production from sugarcane bagasse and bread waste. Results show that sugarcane bagasse-based feedstock requires higher capital investment and annual operational costs, at 68.3 M$ and 24.3 M$ per year compared to bread waste-based feedstock, which involves 49.8 M$ and 18.74 M$ per year, respectively. Profitability analysis indicated that bread waste-based hydrogen production was more economically viable, with a higher net present value of 36.45 M$ and a higher internal rate of return of 17 %, along with a payback period of 11 years. A sensitivity analysis revealed that the selling price of hydrogen and fixed capital investment were the most influential parameters affecting the net present value. These findings highlight the economic advantages of utilizing bread waste over sugarcane bagasse, suggesting that bread waste is a more cost-effective and sustainable option for hydrogen production. By prioritizing bread waste as a feedstock, it is possible to achieve significant economic benefits, making it a strategic choice for future hydrogen production initiatives and advancing renewable energy technologies.