Methane dehydroaromatization process in a carbon-neutral strategy

Abstract

Methane dehydroaromatization (MDA) process is a “non-oxidative” technology for CH4 utilization, esteemed as a propitious substitution for fossil fuel-based counterparts in the synthesis of benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX). However, the MDA process is less cost-effective than both commercial BTX production and “oxidative” CH4 conversion technologies, primarily due to its inherently low BTX yield and CH4 conversion rate. As the focus on attaining net-zero emissions escalates and concerns regarding the usage of abundant CH4 arise, the MDA process has emerged as an environmentally efficient alternative that can generate high-value products while decreasing direct CO2 emissions. In this study, we evaluate various MDA reaction systems, including MDA utilizing only pure CH4, additive co-feeding MDA, and hydrocarbons co-feeding MDA, employing a Mo/HZSM-5 catalyst. The proposed process design comprehensively analyzes the impact of MDA reaction systems on product distribution and energy consumption. Furthermore, we confirm the feasibility of the proposed MDA processes through an exhaustive environmental and economic assessment of “oxidative” CH4 conversion methods and commercial BTX production processes. By decentralizing some of the immense direct CO2 emissions from existing CH4 utilization to controllable indirect CO2 emissions, the MDA processes prove to be more advantageous under the net-zero strategy. The results of this analysis reinforce the potential of MDA reaction processes as a carbon-neutral technology that can effectively replace oxidative CH4 conversion while producing high-value products.