Techno-economic evaluation of CO2 utilization processes : hydrogenation, Bi-and Tri-reforming of CO2 into methanol production

Abstract

More efforts to capture CO2 are being encouraged in order to minimize its concentration in air. However, the CO2 capture cost is still quite high and is a major problem in advancing more sustainable processes. One viable solution is using captured CO2 as raw material to convert to valuable products so that CO2 capture and utilization can become economically feasible. Thus, utilizing CO2 as feedstock to produce higher value products shows the potential for economy and environment. Methanol that can be synthesized through CO2 with the support of catalysts has been broadly aimed as a potential product. Methanol is largely employed in the chemical industry, especially in manufacturing formaldehyde, MTBE and acetic acid. Furthermore, owing notable combustion characteristics as well as emitting fewer pollutants than conventional fuels permits methanol be employed as fuel in vehicles. The aim of this research is to model and design feasible processes as a CO2 treatment approach through the production of methanol as well as to evaluate and compare the methanol production between the different options, which are hydrogenation, bi-reforming and tri-reforming processes, in terms of an established set of performance criteria.