Integration of Methanol Aromatization with Light Hydrocarbon Aromatization toward Increasing Aromatic Yields: Conceptual Process Designs and Comparative Analysis

Abstract

Methanol aromatization occurs with considerable byproducts of light hydrocarbons, resulting in a low yield of benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX). This work proposes two novel process designs by integrating methanol aromatization with light hydrocarbon aromatization to increase the BTX yield so as to increase profitability and sustainability. For a comprehensive analysis, detailed process simulation models are developed in Aspen HYSYS for the two integrated processes with C 3 −C 5 hydrocarbon single-pass conversions of 35, 55, 75, and 95%. On this basis, technoeconomic analysis and life cycle assessment are conducted for eight cases to systematically compare their profitability and sustainability measured by the net present value and greenhouse gas emissions, respectively. Advantages of the two integrated designs over the nonintegrated methanol to aromatics design are also explored. The results show that integrating light hydrocarbon aromatization with methanol aromatization can significantly increase the BTX yield and net present value by over 49 and 204%, respectively. Besides, producing BTX from the two integrated designs can lower greenhouse gas emissions by 9.87−15.20%. This study also finds that preseparation of the light hydrocarbon aromatization product shows better profitable and sustainable performances than direct coprocessing of the two aromatization products.

Machine learning–assisted CO 2 utilization in the catalytic dry reforming of hydrocarbons: Reaction pathways and multicriteria optimization analyses

“…The formation of coke and the occurrence of carbon deposits are not solely dependent on the reactor temperature and pressure but also on the gas inlet composition, for example, the CH 4 :CO 2 ratio, as reported by Zhang et al, 45 possible aromatics such as benzene are expected with an increase of CH 4 :CO 2 . The concentration of ethylene and acetylene is also found to decrease slightly when increasing the CH 4 :CO 2 ratio.…”

Glycolic Acid Production from Ethylene Glycol via Sustainable Biomass Energy: Integrated Conceptual Process Design and Comparative Techno-economic–Society–Environment Analysis

“…Briefly speaking, the larger the NPV value is, the higher the expected return of the project is and the stronger the profitability is. The definition of NPV involving net cash flow, the life cycle of the project, and discount rate is shown as eq . Based on the results of the economic analysis, the net cash flow could be calculated accurately. where CF is the net cash flow, k denotes the year, DR refers to the discount rate, and LCP means the life cycle of the project.…”

“…The definition of NPV involving net cash flow, the life cycle of the project, and discount rate is shown as eq 12. 43 Based on the results of the economic analysis, the net cash flow could be calculated accurately.…”

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“…(10) The purchase cost of each equipment. (11) The baremodule factor of each equipment. (12) The prices of feedstock, products, power, heating, and cooling utilities.…”

“…Jiang et al 10 presented a comparative techno-economic and environmental analysis of producing aromatics from methanol and naphtha for determining the competitive aromatics production route. Zhang et al 11 proposed two novel process designs by integrating methanol aromatization with light hydrocarbon aromatization to increase process profitability and environmental sustainability. They also 12 introduced direct or indirect aromatization of light hydrocarbons and cofeeding of coal and natural gas to significantly improve the economic and environmental performances of producing aromatics from coal via methanol.…”