Simulation of Dry Reforming of Methane to Form Synthesis Gas as Feed Stock for Acetic Acid Production

The Natuna gas field is one of the largest natural gas reserves in Indonesia with estimated natural gas reserves of 222 TCF. However, until now, the use of Natuna gas is still hampered because of the very high CO2 content reaching 71%, while the methane content is around 28%. The dry reforming of methane (DRM) process is one of the potential ways to be applied for solving these problems to convert CH4 and CO2 to synthesis gas containing CO and H2 as a raw material that can be applied to manufacture as intermediate products or end products in the petrochemical industry such as acetic acid. The simulation of the acetic acid production was conducted by using ASPEN HYSYS v.10, considering mass and heat balances. The PengRobinson was applied for dry reforming of methane process. In order to produce 496.8 kmol/h of the acetic acid, the 500 kmol/h for each CH4 and CO2 were used as feed gas. The total energy required is 4.7 MMBtu per ton of acetic acid. The acetic acid has a purity of 99.4% with a concentration of 500 ppm methanol, and moisture content of 5,700 ppm.

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Optimization of acetic acid production from synthesis gas by chemolithotrophic bacterium – Clostridium aceticum using statistical approach

Bioresource Technology ◽

10.1016/j.biortech.2007.07.004 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 99 (8) ◽

pp. 2724-2735 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Jia Huey Sim ◽

Azlina Harun Kamaruddin

Keyword(s):

Acetic Acid ◽

Synthesis Gas ◽

Acid Production ◽

Statistical Approach ◽

Acetic Acid Production ◽

Clostridium Aceticum

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Technical, Economic and Environmental Viability of Offshore CO2 Reuse from Natural Gas by Dry Reforming

Applied Mechanics and Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.830.109 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 830 ◽

pp. 109-116 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Bruna C. de S. Lima ◽

Ofélia Queiroz Fernandes de Araújo ◽

José Luiz de Medeiros ◽

Cláudia R.V. Morgado

Keyword(s):

Natural Gas ◽

Cost Estimation ◽

Dry Reforming ◽

Raw Material ◽

Environment Impact ◽

One Pot ◽

Methanol Production ◽

Aspen Hysys ◽

Shift Reaction ◽

Two Alternatives

The recent discoveries of Pre-Salt layers in Brazil require process developments for enhanced sustainability as these reservoirs have oil with associated natural gas exhibiting an expressive amount of CO2 [1,2]. The challenge is thus to expand the supply of this fossil raw material to produce energy and chemicals in a carbon-constrained economy. In this scenario, CO2 capture and reuse techniques are important routes for a moderate transition from the present fossil-based economy to a long-term sustainable future. This work evaluates two process alternatives for a floating unit consisting of physical absorption of CO2 from natural gas, with propylene carbonate, producing a natural gas stream poor in CO2 and a stream consisting of a mixture of CO2 and hydrocarbons. Two alternatives are evaluated for processing the CO2 rich stream to yield methanol. Technical, economic and environmental analyses of the process flowsheets are performed for comparison purposes. Alternative 1 combines dry and steam reforming in one reactor (one pot reactor, Bi-Reforming), while Alternative 2 segregates the two reactions: dry reforming (Dry-Reforming) occurs in one reactor and water gas-shift reaction takes place in a subsequent reactor. The two Alternatives are evaluated with ASPEN HYSYS® (ASPENTECH Inc) simulator for calculation of energy and mass balances necessary to assess economic and environment performances. The economic evaluation employed the software Capital Cost Estimation (CAPCOST) for calculations of CAPEX and OPEX. The software Waste Reduction Algorithm (WAR, EPA) was used to evaluate the potential environmental impacts, by PEI (Potential Environmental Impact). Results indicate that the performance of Alternative 1 was better than Alternative 2: (a) methanol production (17905 kg/h) 4 times higher, (b) CAPEX (U$$75.497.127), 21,7% lower, (c) Sales Revenue (U$$144,890,686) 181% greater, and (d) the index for environment impact (868 PEI/hr) 47,7% lower.

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