Options for on-board use of hydrogen based on the methylcyclohexane- toluene-hydrogen system

The methylcyclohexane-toluene-hydrogen (MTH)-system is considered as one of the potential solutions for the successful exploitation of the hydrogen economy. Three options for on-board use of the MTH-system have been considered. A base-case process flowsheet is developed and simulated in Aspen HYSYS®. Thermal pinch analysis is performed to assess the thermal energy deficiency for the dehydrogenation reaction to be carried out. Heat energy requirements and the size of the methylcyclohexane and toluene storage tanks for on-board applications rule out the idea of using the MTH-system in a total replacement of gasoline in an internal combustion engine or a fuel cell with hydrogen from the MTH-system. A hybrid MTH-gasoline system is emerged as a practical solution for the on-board use of hydrogen from the MTH-system.