Single stage dimethyl ether plant model based on gasification of palm empty fruit bunch

Abstract

Biomass from empty fruit bunch (EFB) is considered as potential renewable energy sources to be developed in Indonesia. EFB can be efficiently converted into valuable and useful fuel products through gasification. Gasification is a process of biomass conversion into syngas. Syngas is a raw material for most other chemical products, such as Methanol, Ammonia, and DME. One of the biomasses that has big potential to be utilized is palm EFB waste. Research about DME synthesis from various biomass has been done, though little research about DME production based on EFB gasification. The aim of this research is to simulate single stage DME Plant Model based on gasification of EFB by assuming that the gasification reaction and DME synthesis reaction are under equilibrium condition. Method encompasses step to perform simulation of the model and DME plant design. The model predicts yield of DME product in agreement with published real DME plant operation. The result shows flow rate of DME produced is 50% of EFB feed flowrate and 73% energy efficiency obtained for pre-treated EFB. Electric power requirement has been investigated at 4096 kW and can be fulfilled by DME Plant through steam generation cycle and internal combustion engine fuelled by DME product. The model developed will be used as a basis for techno-economic analysis of DME plant based on EFB gasification.

Economic Feasibility of Dimethyl Ether from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch as a Substitute for LPG in Indonesia

“…As received, OPEFB collected has 60% moisture content, and with a dry ash-free (daf) base, the feedstock rate becomes 383 t day -1 or 16 t h -1 . According to Heryadi et al [31], 1 t DME was produced for every 2 t OPEFB feedstock daf base. This ratio is applied to OPEFB biomass production, where 192 t day -1 of DME is made from 383 t day -1 OPEFB daf base input.…”

Bio-Dimethyl Ether from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch and Sustainability Assessment of Bio-Dimethyl Ether: A Case Study in Indonesia

“…Several previous studies on the conversion of OPEFB into bio-DME have reportedly been carried out since 2017. These were often related to parametric studies, which used simulation software and techno-economic analysis [3,41,55]. However, studies concerning the direct experiments on the pilot and actual plants were not found during the selection of related literature.…”

“…Heryadi et al [41] described the simulation process of bio-DME conversion. This was conducted using the Aspen Hysys simulator software and the operating condition data obtained from previous literature, and examined the process of DME synthesis.…”

Thermogravimetric Analysis and Kinetic Study on Catalytic Pyrolysis of Rice Husk Pellet using Its Ash as a Low-cost In-situ Catalyst

“…Optimizing the use of rice husk as a renewable energy source through the thermochemical process (pyrolysis or gasification) is still an attractive alternative in future energy supplies. The process converts rice husks into gas and/or liquid that can be utilized directly as energy or a feedstock to produce valuable chemicals (Wang et al, 2018;Salman et al, 2018;Heryadi et al, 2019). Researchers have performed studies to ensure that the pyrolysis or gasification process produces more gas with low tar and high CO and H2 contents.…”