Wind-hydrogen utilization for methanol production: An economy assessment in Iran

This study investigates the feasibility to synthesis methanol from its flue gas and wind hydrogen. The concept is to mitigate CO2 emission through flue gas recovery. Synthesizing methanol, on the other hand requires hydrogen at the rate of 3 kmol/kmol of carbon dioxide. Electrolysis is one method by which hydrogen can be produced cleanly from renewable source. Here it is assumed that the electrolysis unit is fed with the electricity from neighbor wind farms. Oxygen will be produced as a byproduct in electrolysis unit. However, electrolytic oxygen could be utilized for partial oxidation of methane in autothermal reactor (ATR). Onboard water electrolysis facilitates the oxygen and hydrogen storage, delivery and marketing. This study focuses on an integrated system of methanol production which enables green methanol synthesis through a system with zero carbon emission. Green methanol synthesis is comprised of CO2 capturing and recycling along with renewable hydrogen generation. The produced hydrogen and CO2 will be directed to methanol synthesis unit. By employing the integrated system for methanol synthesis, we could reduce the cost of using renewable energy technology.

► This study investigates the feasibility of synthesizing methanol from its flue gas and wind hydrogen.
► The Carbon dioxide is recycled from flue gas and hydrogen is considered to be produced cleanly via water electrolysis powered from wind electricity.
► Converting carbon dioxide and hydrogen to methanol offers a great potential for cutting CO2 emissions and storage of hydrogen gas in the form of liquid hydrocarbon.
► It appears that a combination of green and fossil based methanol synthesis results in adding to a material cost of not more than 11% compared to conventional methanol synthesized unit.