Techno-economic analysis of photofermentative hydrogen production by R. palustris.

These MS Excel models presents the bioprocess design and analysis of the current techno-economic feasibility of hydrogen production through the photofermentation route, using Rhodopseudomonas palustris as the biocatalyst. Additionally, the immobilisation of R. palustris in PVA-based hydrogels is included, which was argued to be essential for their application in a large-scale continuous process. However, with most well-established production routes returning production costs of well below 10 $/kg, the levelised cost of hydrogen through photofermentation determined in this study still does not yet provide a competitive solution. For the optimised, base-case plant design, the levelised cost of hydrogen was equal to 2 043 $/kg (after 15 years of plant operation). However, if this base case design was adjusted to rather purchase glycerol instead of treating and using a crude glycerol waste stream, in combination with using natural sunlight during suitable hours of the day, the levelised cost can be reduced to approximately 1 900 $/kg.