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Abstract
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Hydrogen is a clean and renewable energy carrier that has attracted global interest. However, its widespread use is limited by challenges in storage and transportation, which require efficient liquefaction processes. Conventional hydrogen liquefaction systems, like the Claude cycle, have low efficiency and high operating costs. This study presents an improved hydrogen liquefaction system based on the Claude cycle to improve its thermodynamic and economic performance. In the new design, part of the compressor outlet stream is expanded in the first expander. Additionally, the thermal energy from the compressor exhaust is recovered for power generation and gas precooling. Energy, exergy, and exergoeconomic analyses are performed for both the conventional and proposed systems. The results show that the new system has a higher coefficient of performance and exergy efficiency than the traditional Claude cycle. Furthermore, the exergoeconomic analysis shows a 51.27% reduction in liquefaction cost rate. A parametric analysis also indicates that the new system consistently performs better and at a lower cost across all compressor pressure ratios.
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