Co-Production of Hydrogen and Methanol Using Fuel Mix Systems: Technical and Economic Assessment

Usama Ahmed,Nauman Ahmad,Sagheer Onaizi,Nabeel Ahmad,Umer Zahid,Abdul Abdul Jameel,Hamad Almohamadi

doi:10.3390/app11146577

Abstract

With the increase in global energy requirements, the utilization of fossil fuels has also increased, which has caused global warming. In this study, a process integration framework based on an energy mix system is proposed to simultaneously produce two cleaner fuels (methanol and H2). Aspen Plus is used to develop process models followed by their techno-economic assessment. Case 1 is considered the base case process, where the coal–biomass gasification process is used to produce the synthesis gas, which is further converted into H2 and methanol. Conversely, the case 2 design represents the novel process configuration framework, where the coal–biomass gasification technology in case 1 is sequentially integrated with the methane reforming technology to minimize the energy penalties while increasing the net fuel production. To perform the technical analysis, the fuel production rates, carbon conversion efficiencies and specific energy requirements are compared for both models. It is analyzed from the results that the case 2 design offers higher methanol and H2 production rates with lower energy requirements. Additionally, the specific energy requirement for case 2 is 29% lower compared to the case 1 design, leading to an increase in the process efficiency of case 2 by 3.5%.

Highlights

After the treatment of acid gases in the AGR unit, methanol and hydrogen are produced as already discussed in Figures 1 and 2
The methanol and hydrogen production rates from case 1 and case 2 are calculated as 29.97 kg/s and 4.22 kg/s, and 37.91 kg/s and 3.87 kg/s, respectively
The comparative analysis between the two cases reveals that case 2 offers 3.5% higher process efficiency

Summary

Introduction

With recent industrialization and deforestation, the carbon footprint around the world has increased to dangerous levels during the last few decades. A reduction in greenhouse gas emissions can be achieved by either minimizing fuel consumption, by improving the process performance, by reducing the greenhouse gas emissions or by using renewables forms of energy. The current global capacity of renewables is not enough to meet the world energy and supply demand. Energy in any form is very valuable around the world to meet societal and industrial needs, and a lot of research has been dedicated to improving the process efficiency or to finding alternative energy resources. Hydrocarbon-based fossil fuels have remained the major source of energy supply during the last few decades, owing to their high efficiency and availability. The utilization of fossil fuel based-processes increased the global CO2 emissions to the highest level ever

Objectives

Results

Conclusion