Substances and energy metabolism of green Hydrogen-Assisted/Coal-Methanol-Olefin-Polyolefin system using ecological network methodology

Abstract

It is crucial to comprehend the complex interconnections among units in coal chemical industry for its lower carbon and efficient transformation. This understanding can help identify priority nodes for optimization in the pursuit of lower carbon emissions and improved efficiency. Ecological network analysis method is employed to study the substances and energy metabolism in the coal chemical industry treating it as a superorganism comprising numerous intricate metabolic processes. Network utility analysis and network control analysis are conducted to evaluate the substances and energy metabolism of the coal-methanol-olefin-polyolefin (CMOP) system and green hydrogen-assisted CMOP (GH-CMOP) system, applying an innovative perspective and methodology. Key units for significant improvements in C/H/O and energy metabolism are disclosed. The GH-CMOP system shows better cascade utilization of C/H/O and energy, but hydrogen-carbon ratio adjustment has less impact on the overall metabolic utility relationships. Therefore, both systems need process route modifications to enhance substances and energy use.