Sensitivity based optimization of the Tri-reforming based CO2 valorization process

Abstract

Rising CO2 levels in the atmosphere has been a serious concern and threat to the environment. Thus mitigation of CO2 becomes really important. To achieve the same, a relatively new approach of tri-reforming process is studied in this paper. Taking waste flue gases as a source of CO2 and methane as a co-feed, a process flow sheet has been developed that converts the above mentioned two species to methanol. In this study we consider the conversion of flue gases and methane into methanol via three steps namely the tri-reforming process, a water separation system and methanol production process. The water separation system used in conjunction with the other two processes is a novel aspect of our approach and it demonstrates the importance of water removal in terms of the overall flow sheet improvement. The improved process delivers an improved product yield of 3.12 times the original tri-reforming coupled methanol production process. The developed process flow sheet is simulated and optimized in Aspen Plus V8.4 and various sensitivity studies have been performed that illustrate the feasibility of the proposed approach. Moreover an effective multiple stage methanol production process is suggested for CO2 rich synthesis gas generated by tri-reforming or otherwise.