Techno-environmental Assessment for a Bio-methanol Integrated Plant Using Anaerobic Digestion Of OFMSW, Carbon Capture and Biomass Gasification

Abstract

Production of energy or chemicals from biomass and several waste substrates appears a concrete strategy for replacing fossil fuels and reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere. In particular, methanol from biomass or bio-waste is considered a reliable energy vector and key intermediate for industrial chemistry. Currently, methanol is industrially produced via syngas conversion using natural gas as the main feedstock. Biomethane produced via anaerobic digestion (AD) of Organic Fraction Municipal Solid Wastes (OFMSW) may be used as an alternative to natural gas for production of syngas with optimal composition via commercialized reforming processes. In this work, a technoenvironmental assessment for methanol production from biogas is presented and discussed. In particular, three case studies were assessed to minimize the environmental impact of biomethanol production.

Process Simulation and Environmental Assessment of the Production of Dimethyl Ether from Digestate

“…This sequence allows to take advantage of the faster conversion rate in the HTS path and to finally approach a higher equilibrium conversion value (larger than 99%) for the most favourable equilibrium conditions in the LTS. The pressure of WGS unit was assumed equal to the pressure of methanol synthesis, which was set at 80 bar [15].…”

“…Syngas can be produced also by non-fossil sources. For instance, gasification of biomass or waste (thermal or catalytic) is a sustainable way to produce syngas [11][12][13][14][15]. After syngas production, DME synthesis can be performed in two different ways.…”

Towards Methanol Economy: A Techno-environmental Assessment for a Bio-methanol OFMSW/Biomass/Carbon Capture-based Integrated Plant

“…This work aims to give new insights and revise the results presented by Giuliano et al [1]. In particular, three different scenarios for bio-methanol production are assessed involving anaerobic digestion as a master unit coupled with side technologies as biomass gasification, carbon capture and water electrolysis, with the scope to give new perspectives for energy savings and greenhouse gas emission mitigation for methanol production, being methanol a candidate as carrier of the future energy economy.…”

“…The introduction of renewable energy in the chemical production chain is a key element to reduce the carbon and environmental footprint. In this concern, methanol may be considered as a suitable protagonist of this strategy, as reported elsewhere [1,2]. Methanol may be used as a building block for the synthesis of several high-added values products, by both traditional process of industrial chemistry, e.g.…”