A Methodological Sustainability Assessment to Process Intensification (MSAtoPI) by reactive-separation systems

Abstract

To produce clean and cheap power by eliminating the economic and energy penalties, it is necessary to develop new technologies or improve the existing processes based on sustainability criteria and alternative fuels. Integration of sustainability into process design contributes to the achievement of this target by eliminating or minimizing negative effects. However, measuring sustainability performance and decision-making are crucial and challenging steps for the development of sustainable industrial processes. The framework for Methodological Sustainability Assessment to Process Intensification (MSAtoPI) is thus introduced in this study as a methodological approach with appropriate sustainability indicators that ensures the capability of gathering and abstracting the complex process operations (energy, mass, and momentum transport phenomena), and that offers clear analysis and communication. The main concepts are demonstrated in practice by using a biomass-based, highly efficient, and ultra-compact process to produce H2 while simultaneously capturing CO2 in an IGCC (Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle) power plant, which is intensified by reactive-separation systems (a hybrid membrane reactor (MR)/adsorptive reactor (AR) system). MSAtoPI clearly concretizes that the proposed intensified reactive-separation systems have huge potential to produce clean and cheap power by eliminating the economic and energy penalties by having more sustainable natures (minimum: ∼18%, average: ∼75%, maximum: ∼140% improvement in sustainability).