Life Cycle Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Hydrogen Production via High-Calorific Mixed Waste Gasification

This study evaluates the environmental sustainability of hydrogen production from high-calorific mixed waste gasification through a Cradle-to-Gate(CtG) Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) based on operational data from a 2 TPD pilot plant. The Global Warming Potential (GWP) was calculated to be 9.80 kg CO2-eq per kg of H2 produced. This carbon footprint is competitive with conventional steam methane reforming (SMR) and lower than coal gasification, but significantly higher than biomass-based pathways. A contribution analysis identified the primary environmental hotspots as external electricity consumption (39.3%), production of chelated iron for syngas cleaning (18.8%), externally supplied oxygen (17.9%), and plant construction (11.9%). These findings position this Waste-to-Hydrogen (WtH) technology as a strategic transitional solution, offering the dual benefit of valorizing problematic waste and producing a valuable energy carrier. While not yet a 'green' hydrogen source, the identification of clear environmental hotspots provides actionable pathways for improving its sustainability, primarily through enhancing energy self-sufficiency and optimizing consumable usage. This research provides a critical empirical benchmark for the technology's future development and commercialization, bridging the gap between laboratory research and industrial application.