The Techno-Economic Benefit of Sorption Enhancement: Evaluation of Sorption-Enhanced Dimethyl Ether Synthesis for CO2 Utilization

Dimethyl ether (DME) is an important platform chemical and fuel that can be synthesized from CO2 and H2 directly. In particular, sorption-enhanced DME synthesis (SEDMES) is a novel process that uses the in situ removal of H2O with an adsorbent to ensure high conversion efficiency in a single unit operation. The in situ removal of steam has been shown to enhance catalyst lifetime and boost process efficiency. In addition, the hydrogen may be supplied through water electrolysis using renewable energy, making it a promising example of the (indirect) power-to-X technology. Recently, major advances have been made in SEDMES, both experimentally and in terms of modeling and cycle design. The current work presents a techno-economic evaluation of SEDMES using H2 produced by a PEM electrolyzer. A conceptual process design has been made for the conversion of CO2 and green H2 to DME, including the purification section to meet ISO fuel standards. By means of a previously developed dynamic cycle model for the SEDMES reactors, a DME yield per pass of 72.4 % and a carbon selectivity of 84.7% were achieved for the studied process design after optimization of the recycle streams. The production costs for DME by the power-to-X technology SEDMES process at 23 kt/year scale are determined at ∼€1.3 per kg. These costs are higher than the current market price but lower than the cost of conventional DME synthesis from CO2. Factors with the highest impact on the business cases are the electricity and CO2 cost price as well as the CAPEX of the electrolyzer, which is considered an important component for technology development. Furthermore, as the H2 cost constitutes the largest part of the DME production cost, SEDMES is demonstrated to be a powerful technology for efficient conversion of green H2 into DME.

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Enhanced Direct Dimethyl Ether Synthesis from CO2-Rich Syngas with Cu/ZnO/ZrO2 Catalysts Prepared by Continuous Co-Precipitation

Catalysts ◽

10.3390/catal10080816 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 816

Author(s):

Sabrina Polierer ◽

David Guse ◽

Stefan Wild ◽

Karla Herrera Delgado ◽

Thomas N. Otto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dimethyl Ether ◽

Catalytic Properties ◽

Direct Synthesis ◽

Copper Surface ◽

Precipitation Method ◽

Dme Synthesis ◽

Surface Areas ◽

Dimethyl Ether Synthesis ◽

Material Homogeneity ◽

Co Precipitation

The manufacturing of technical catalysts generally involves a sequence of different process steps, of which co-precipitation is one of the most important. In this study, we investigate how continuous co-precipitation influences the properties of Cu/ZnO/ZrO2 (CZZ) catalysts and their application in the direct synthesis of dimethyl ether (DME) from CO2/CO/H2 feeds. We compare material characteristics investigated by means of XRF, XRD, N2 physisorption, H2-TPR, N2O-RFC, TEM and EDXS as well as the catalytic properties to those of CZZ catalysts prepared by a semi-batch co-precipitation method. Ultra-fast mixing in continuous co-precipitation results in high BET and copper surface areas as well as in improved metal dispersion. DME synthesis performed in combination with a ferrierite-type co-catalyst shows correspondingly improved productivity for CZZ catalysts prepared by the continuous co-precipitation method, using CO2-rich as well as CO-rich syngas feeds. Our continuous co-precipitation approach allows for improved material homogeneity due to faster and more homogeneous solid formation. The so-called “chemical memory” stamped during initial co-precipitation is kept through all process steps and is reflected in the final catalytic properties. Furthermore, our continuous co-precipitation approach may be easily scaled-up to industrial production rates by numbering-up. Hence, we believe that our approach represents a promising contribution to improve catalysts for direct DME synthesis.

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Dimethyl Ether Synthesis with in situ H2O Removal in Fixed-Bed Membrane Reactor: Model and Simulations†

Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research ◽

10.1021/ie901726u ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 49 (15) ◽

pp. 6870-6877 ◽

Cited By ~ 48

Author(s):

I. Iliuta ◽

F. Larachi ◽

P. Fongarland

Keyword(s):

Dimethyl Ether ◽

Membrane Reactor ◽

Fixed Bed ◽

Reactor Model ◽

Dimethyl Ether Synthesis ◽

Ether Synthesis

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Water Inhibition of Oxymethylene Dimethyl Ether Synthesis over Zeolite H-Beta: A Combined Kinetic and in Situ ATR-IR Study

ACS Catalysis ◽

10.1021/acscatal.0c01805 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (15) ◽

pp. 8106-8119

Author(s):

Christophe J. Baranowski ◽

Thibault Fovanna ◽

Maneka Roger ◽

Matteo Signorile ◽

Joseph McCaig ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dimethyl Ether ◽

Dimethyl Ether Synthesis ◽

Ir Study ◽

Water Inhibition ◽

Ether Synthesis

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Increasing dimethyl ether production from biomass-derived syngas via sorption enhanced dimethyl ether synthesis

Sustainable Energy & Fuels ◽

10.1039/d0se01172j ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (11) ◽

pp. 5674-5681 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Dalia Liuzzi ◽

Cristina Peinado ◽

Miguel A. Peña ◽

Jasper van Kampen ◽

Jurriaan Boon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dimethyl Ether ◽

P Sorption ◽

Dme Synthesis ◽

Dimethyl Ether Synthesis ◽

Ether Synthesis

Sorption Enhanced DME Synthesis (SEDMES) is a feasible approach to increase DME production from CO2-rich syngas.

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CONSERVATION OF RARE SPECIES PLANTS AND LICHENS IN SITU WITH PLANNED ANTHROPOGENIC ACTIVITIES: BASIC APPROACHES AND IMPLEMENTATION PRINCIPLES

Engineering survey ◽

10.25296/1997-8650-2018-12-7-8-38-45 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 12 (7-8) ◽

pp. 38-45

Author(s):

A. N. EFREMOV ◽

N. V. PLIKINA ◽

T. ABELI

Keyword(s):

Rare Species ◽

Technology Implementation ◽

Technology Development ◽

Anthropogenic Activities ◽

Natural Habitat ◽

Local Population ◽

Main Stage ◽

Social Risks

Rare species are most vulnerable to man-made impacts, due to their biological characteristics or natural resource management. As a rule, the economic impact is associated with the destruction and damage of individual organisms, the destruction or alienation of habitats. Unfortunately, the conservation of habitat integrity is an important protection strategy, which is not always achievable in the implementation of industrial and infrastructural projects. The aim of the publication is to summarize the experience in the field of protection of rare species in the natural habitat (in situ), to evaluate and analyze the possibility of using existing methods in design and survey activities. In this regard, the main methodological approaches to the protection of rare species in the natural habitat (in situ) during the proposed economic activity were reflected. The algorithm suggested by the authors for implementing the in situ project should include a preparatory stage (initial data collection, preliminary risk assessments, technology development, obtaining permitting documentation), the main stage, the content of which is determined by the selected technology and a long monitoring stage, which makes it possible to assess the effectiveness of the taken measures. Among the main risks of in situ technology implementation, the following can be noted: the limited resources of the population that do not allow for the implementation of the procedure without prior reproduction of individuals in situ (in vitro); limited knowledge of the biology of the species; the possibility of invasion; the possibility of crossing for closely related species that сo-exist in the same habitat; social risks and consequences, target species or population may be important for the local population; financial risks during the recovery of the population. The available experience makes it possible to consider the approach to the conservation of rare species in situ as the best available technology that contributes to reducing negative environmental risks.

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Converting copper sulfide to copper with surface sulfur for electrocatalytic alkyne semi-hydrogenation with water

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-021-24059-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yongmeng Wu ◽

Cuibo Liu ◽

Changhong Wang ◽

Yifu Yu ◽

Yanmei Shi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Binding Energy ◽

Noble Metal ◽

Atomic Hydrogen ◽

Copper Sulfide ◽

Low Cost ◽

Water Electrolysis ◽

Metal Free ◽

Copper Nanowire

AbstractElectrocatalytic alkyne semi-hydrogenation to alkenes with water as the hydrogen source using a low-cost noble-metal-free catalyst is highly desirable but challenging because of their over-hydrogenation to undesired alkanes. Here, we propose that an ideal catalyst should have the appropriate binding energy with active atomic hydrogen (H*) from water electrolysis and a weaker adsorption with an alkene, thus promoting alkyne semi-hydrogenation and avoiding over-hydrogenation. So, surface sulfur-doped and -adsorbed low-coordinated copper nanowire sponges are designedly synthesized via in situ electroreduction of copper sulfide and enable electrocatalytic alkyne semi-hydrogenation with over 99% selectivity using water as the hydrogen source, outperforming a copper counterpart without surface sulfur. Sulfur anion-hydrated cation (S2−-K+(H2O)n) networks between the surface adsorbed S2− and K+ in the KOH electrolyte boost the production of active H* from water electrolysis. And the trace doping of sulfur weakens the alkene adsorption, avoiding over-hydrogenation. Our catalyst also shows wide substrate scopes, up to 99% alkenes selectivity, good reducible groups compatibility, and easily synthesized deuterated alkenes, highlighting the promising potential of this method.

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Process Simulation and Environmental Aspects of Dimethyl Ether Production from Digestate-Derived Syngas

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18020807 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 807

Author(s):

Aristide Giuliano ◽

Enrico Catizzone ◽

Cesare Freda

Keyword(s):

Dimethyl Ether ◽

Process Simulation ◽

Carbon Capture ◽

Energy Transition ◽

Process Conditions ◽

Co2 Absorption ◽

Environmental Aspects ◽

Dme Synthesis ◽

Water Gas ◽

Synthesis Of Dimethyl Ether

The production of dimethyl ether from renewables or waste is a promising strategy to push towards a sustainable energy transition of alternative eco-friendly diesel fuel. In this work, we simulate the synthesis of dimethyl ether from a syngas (a mixture of CO, CO2 and H2) produced from gasification of digestate. In particular, a thermodynamic analysis was performed to individuate the best process conditions and syngas conditioning processes to maximize yield to dimethyl etehr (DME). Process simulation was carried out by ChemCAD software, and it was particularly focused on the effect of process conditions of both water gas shift and CO2 absorption by Selexol® on the syngas composition, with a direct influence on DME productivity. The final best flowsheet and the best process conditions were evaluated in terms of CO2 equivalent emissions. Results show direct DME synthesis global yield was higher without the WGS section and with a carbon capture equal to 85%. The final environmental impact was found equal to −113 kgCO2/GJ, demonstrating that DME synthesis from digestate may be considered as a suitable strategy for carbon dioxide recycling.

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