INNOVATEX - I3X - 18
Clean Hydrogen Production from Municipal Solid Waste
Initiating Partner: LUT School of Energy Systems, LUT University, Finland
Initiating Partners' Contacts:
Professor Jouni Havukainen, LUT School of Energy Systems
Research Groups / Units:
LUT's Sustainability Science – School of Energy Systems research group has expertise in thermochemical waste conversion, apply Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to emerging hydrogen production routes, and complement LUT's existing LCA work on Power-to-X and biomass-based fuels with a waste-derived feedstock pathway.
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What are the desired outcomes of I3X-18?
LUT is looking for support to conduct LCA research in the context of steam gasification of municipal solid waste (MSW) with tar cracking as a route to ultra-rich hydrogen, and to quantify the environmental footprint relative to electrolysis-based (Power-to-X) and biomass-based hydrogen production.
The aim is to clarify the net climate and environmental benefits of waste-to-hydrogen pathway, accounting for feedstock collection and variability, energy inputs and emissions from gasification and tar cracking, avoided landfill/incineration impacts, and downstream hydrogen purification, so that its role in a diversified, circular hydrogen supply can be properly assessed. Thus, the work of future secondees could include e.g. assessment of environmental impact of waste-derived hydrogen as a complement to electrolysis and biomass-based routes.
R&I Stage: Idea / Conceptualization & Pilot / Proof of Concept.
What skills and capabilities (across disciplines) would be beneficial for I3X-18?
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Life cycle assessment methodology and software (e.g. SimaPro, openLCA, LCA for expert)
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Knowledge of thermochemical waste conversion (gasification, tar cracking) processes
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Waste characterisation and feedstock variability analysis
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Comparative LCA across hydrogen production routes (electrolysis, biomass, waste-derived)
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Techno-economic and environmental data analysis
Examples of Challenges that need to be addressed for I3X-18?
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Build an LCA model of the MSW steam gasification and tar-cracking pathway, from waste collection through to purified hydrogen output.
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Quantify emissions and resource use associated with tar cracking and syngas cleaning, and their contribution to the overall footprint.
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Compare the environmental performance of waste-derived hydrogen against electrolysis-based (Power-to-X) and biomass-based hydrogen routes on a consistent functional-unit basis.
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Assess how MSW feedstock variability (composition, moisture, collection logistics) affects life cycle results and uncertainty.
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Develop impact pathways from the industrial process of diverting waste away from landfill or incineration, and their effect on the overall environmental balance.
I3X-18 Alignment to R3 - Resilience, Restoration, Regeneration
Resilience
Diversifies hydrogen production away from a single feedstock or technology route, using locally available waste streams that are not exposed to electricity price or import volatility, and reinforces accordingly resilience of energy systems.
Restoration & Regeneration
Quantifies the benefit of valorising waste that would otherwise be landfilled or incinerated, supporting evidence-informed circular economy decisions and reduced landfill methane emissions.
Related Keywords:
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MSW gasification; tar cracking; hydrogen production; life cycle assessment; syngas; waste-to-energy; circular economy