Describing oxymethylene ether synthesis based on the application of non-stoichiomsetric Gibbs minimisation

Ouda, Mohamed; Mantei, Franz; Elmehlawy, M.; White, Robin J.; Klein, Harald; Fateen, Seif-Eddeen K.

doi:10.1039/c8re00006a

Cited by 14 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 40 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…If DME becomes a conventional feedstock, the well-to-tank efficiency would increase as technology is developed and perfected. (Arcoumanis et al, 2008), (Worldwide Fuel Charter Committee, 2019), (Wang et al, 2020) (Ouda et al, 2018). OME x as DME derivatives have similar properties but a higher molecular mass and boiling points.…”

Section: Dimethyl Ether Efficiencymentioning

confidence: 99%

Synthetic Fuels Based on Dimethyl Ether as a Future Non-Fossil Fuel for Road Transport From Sustainable Feedstocks

2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In this review we consider the important future of the synthetic fuel, dimethyl ether (DME). We compare DME to two alternatives [oxymethylene ether (OMEx) and synthetic diesel through Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reactions]. Finally, we explore a range of methodologies and processes for the synthesis of DME.DME is an alternative diesel fuel for use in compression ignition (CI) engines and may be produced from a range of waste feedstocks, thereby avoiding new fossil carbon from entering the supply chain. DME is characterised by low CO2, low NOx and low particulate matter (PM) emissions. Its high cetane number means it can be used in CI engines with minimal modifications. The key to creating a circular fuels economy is integrating multiple waste streams into an economically and environmentally sustainable supply chain. Therefore, we also consider the availability and nature of low-carbon fuels and hydrogen production. Reliable carbon dioxide sources are also essential if CO2 utilisation processes are to become commercially viable. The location of DME plants will depend on the local ecosystems and ideally should be co-located on or near waste emitters and low-carbon energy sources. Alternative liquid fuels are considered interesting in the medium term, while renewable electricity and hydrogen are considered as reliable long-term solutions for the future transport sector. DME may be considered as a circular hydrogen carrier which will also be able to store energy for use at times of low renewable power generation.The chemistry of the individual steps within the supply chain is generally well known and usually relies on the use of cheap and Earth-abundant metal catalysts. The thermodynamics of these processes are also well-characterised. So overcoming the challenge now relies on the expertise of chemical engineers to put the fundamentals into commercial practice. It is important that a whole systems approach is adopted as interventions can have detrimental unintended consequences unless close monitoring is applied. This review shows that while DME production has been achieved and shows great promise, there is considerable effort needed if we are to reach true net zero emissions in the transport sector, particularly long-haul road use, in the require timescales.

show abstract

Section: Dimethyl Ether Efficiencymentioning

confidence: 99%

Synthetic Fuels Based on Dimethyl Ether as a Future Non-Fossil Fuel for Road Transport From Sustainable Feedstocks

2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Schmitz et al 17 analyze the cost of producing OME 1 and OME 3−5 from methanol and conclude that they can be cost competitive to fossil diesel fuel depending on oil and methanol prices. Ouda et al 18,19 present an alternative OME n production process based on dehydrogenation of methanol to formaldehyde and conclude that it leads to lower production cost than the process analyzed by Schmitz et al 17 Mahbub et al 20 and Deutz et al 11 provide life cycle assessments for blends of fossil diesel with OME n produced from biomass and of OME 1 produced from renewable electricity, respectively. They conclude that both pathways can yield significant reductions in life-cycle pollutant and (given suitable material and energy sources) greenhouse gas emissions compared to pure diesel.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, most existing process chain analyses rely on literature data on the separate process steps obtained from different sources ,, or are based on simplified assumptions regarding product separation. ,, Furthermore, detailed analyses of bottlenecks and points for improvements of a Power-to-OME n process chain have not been presented. This is partly due to the fact that the thermodynamics of some of the mixtures involved are very challenging to model and so far have mostly been addressed with specialized models (e.g., ref ) that are difficult to implement in commercial flowsheet simulators.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Production of Oxymethylene Dimethyl Ethers from Hydrogen and Carbon Dioxide—Part I: Modeling and Analysis for OME₁

Bongartz

Burre

Mitsos

2019

Ind. Eng. Chem. Res.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Oxymethylene dimethyl ethers (OMEn) are potential compression ignition fuels or blend components that enable drastic reductions in pollutant formation. By combining multiple conversion steps, OMEn can be produced from carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2) and hence from renewable electricity. However, established processes for OMEn production are challenging to model and detailed analyses of OMEn production from H2 and CO2 are not yet available in the open literature. In the first part of our two-part article, state-of-the-art models for the formaldehyde-containing mixtures involved in OMEn production are implemented in AspenPlus and used to analyze a process chain for production of OME1 from H2 and CO2 via methanol and aqueous formaldehyde solution. The exergy efficiency of the process chain is 73%. Tailored processes aiming at improved heat and mass integration as well as novel synthesis routes leading to reduced process complexity or avoiding oxidative intermediate steps hold significant promise for future efficiency improvements.

show abstract

“…The coal-based production process and the perspective route was found to be cheaper by 16% and 45%, respectively. Also, Ouda et al 13 propose a process chain starting from methanol only. There, formaldehyde is being produced in a first reactor at high temperature by methanol dehydrogenation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Production of Oxymethylene Dimethyl Ethers from Hydrogen and Carbon Dioxide—Part II: Modeling and Analysis for OME_3–5

Burre

Bongartz

Mitsos

2019

Ind. Eng. Chem. Res.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Oxymethylene dimethyl ethers (OME n ) have high potential as diesel fuels or blending components due to their promising combustion properties and can be produced from hydrogen (H2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) by combining existing process concepts. However, such a process chain has not been analyzed in detail yet, so its performance and bottlenecks are unknown. In this second part of our two-part article, we analyze a process chain for production of the longer chain variant OME3–5 from renewable H2 and green CO2 via trioxane and OME1. We simulate in Aspen Plus using detailed thermodynamic models with coupled oligomerization reactions and rigorous unit operation models. The overall exergy efficiency of OME3–5 production from H2 and CO2 using established process concepts is 53%. Therein, the trioxane process step has the highest losses due to its high heat demand. Considering a pinch-based heat integration throughout the entire process chain its total heat demand can be reduced by 16%. Thus, the exergy efficiency increases to 54%. This is still significantly lower compared to the production of other alternative fuels like OME1, methane, and dimethyl ether. Thus, more efficient processes, e.g., by avoiding trioxane production, are required.

show abstract

Describing oxymethylene ether synthesis based on the application of non-stoichiomsetric Gibbs minimisation

Abstract: A naturally inspired non-Stochastic Global Optimiser is used to describe the synthesis of oxymethylene ethers.

Cited by 14 publications

References 40 publications

Synthetic Fuels Based on Dimethyl Ether as a Future Non-Fossil Fuel for Road Transport From Sustainable Feedstocks

Synthetic Fuels Based on Dimethyl Ether as a Future Non-Fossil Fuel for Road Transport From Sustainable Feedstocks

Production of Oxymethylene Dimethyl Ethers from Hydrogen and Carbon Dioxide—Part I: Modeling and Analysis for OME₁

Production of Oxymethylene Dimethyl Ethers from Hydrogen and Carbon Dioxide—Part II: Modeling and Analysis for OME_3–5

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Describing oxymethylene ether synthesis based on the application of non-stoichiomsetric Gibbs minimisation

Abstract: A naturally inspired non-Stochastic Global Optimiser is used to describe the synthesis of oxymethylene ethers.

Cited by 14 publications

References 40 publications

Synthetic Fuels Based on Dimethyl Ether as a Future Non-Fossil Fuel for Road Transport From Sustainable Feedstocks

Synthetic Fuels Based on Dimethyl Ether as a Future Non-Fossil Fuel for Road Transport From Sustainable Feedstocks

Production of Oxymethylene Dimethyl Ethers from Hydrogen and Carbon Dioxide—Part I: Modeling and Analysis for OME1

Production of Oxymethylene Dimethyl Ethers from Hydrogen and Carbon Dioxide—Part II: Modeling and Analysis for OME3–5

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Production of Oxymethylene Dimethyl Ethers from Hydrogen and Carbon Dioxide—Part I: Modeling and Analysis for OME₁

Production of Oxymethylene Dimethyl Ethers from Hydrogen and Carbon Dioxide—Part II: Modeling and Analysis for OME_3–5