(45d) Comparative Analysis of Alkaline, PEM, and Solid Oxide Electrolyzers for Green Hydrogen Production in Low-Carbon Aviation Fuel Synthesis: An Aspen Plus Simulation Study

The aviation sector's decarbonization efforts have intensified focus on Low-Carbon Aviation Fuels (LCAF), with hydrogen-based synthesis routes showing promise. This study presents a comprehensive comparison of three major electrolyzer technologies - Alkaline, Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM), and Solid Oxide Electrolysis (SOE) - for green hydrogen production in LCAF synthesis. Using Aspen Plus simulation software, we modeled and analyzed these technologies under identical operating conditions and production capacity requirements. Our results indicate that SOE demonstrates superior electrical efficiency (up to 85%) compared to both PEM (75%) and Alkaline (65%) systems, though with higher operational temperature requirements. Economic analysis reveals that Alkaline technology currently offers the lowest capital costs ($850/kW) but faces limitations in load flexibility. PEM systems show intermediate performance metrics with superior dynamic response capabilities, particularly relevant for coupling with renewable energy sources. The study also examines the implications of each technology on the overall LCAF production pathway, considering factors such as system integration, scale-up potential, and environmental impact. These findings provide valuable insights for stakeholders in the aviation fuel industry regarding technology selection for green hydrogen production in LCAF synthesis.