Multi-criteria comparison of H₂ transport alternatives via MEREC-CoCoSo: An ammonia-focused analysis

Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, Industrial Engineering Department, 34303 Istanbul, Turkiye

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Abstract

Efficient logistics of hydrogen within the global energy transition is a fundamental techno-economic threshold for establishing a sustainable ecosystem. This study aims to systematically compare key hydrogen transport alternatives, including ammonia (NH₃), liquid hydrogen (LH₂), liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHC), and compressed hydrogen (CGH₂), within the framework of engineering and cost-based criteria. To eliminate subjectivity in the decision-making process, the modern objective weighting approach of MEREC (Method based on the Removal Effects of Criteria) was employed, with the resulting data integrated into the CoCoSo (Combined Compromise Solution) algorithm for final ranking. The analytical results reveal that investment costs (CAPEX at 27.8%) and operational heat requirements (16.2%) are the most critical parameters dominating logistic system performance. Under the developed hybrid model, ammonia was identified as the optimal transport alternative with a performance score of 2.6281, attributed to its low storage pressure, compatibility with existing infrastructure, and high volumetric energy density. Despite its technical efficiency, liquid hydrogen ranked second due to high cryogenic expenditures, while LOHC technology exhibited the lowest performance due to substantial thermal energy demands. This study quantitatively validates the techno-economic superiority of ammonia-based logistic strategies for large-scale hydrogen distribution, providing a concrete decision-support mechanism for energy policy frameworks.