Techno-Economic and Environmental Analysis for Direct Catalytic Conversion of CO₂ to Methanol and Liquid/High-Calorie-SNG Fuels

Abstract

Catalytic hydrogenation of CO2 has great potential to significantly reduce CO2 and contribute to green economy by converting CO2 into a variety of useful products. The goal of this study is to assess and compare the techno-economic and environmental measures of CO2 catalytic conversion to methanol and Fischer–Tropsch-based fuels. More specifically, two separate process models were developed using a process modeler: direct catalytic conversion of CO2 to Fischer–Tropsch-based liquid fuel/high-calorie SNG and direct catalytic conversion of CO2 to methanol. The unit production cost for each process was analyzed and compared to conventional liquid fuel and methanol production processes. CO2 emissions for each process were assessed in terms of global warming potential. The cost and environmental analyses results of each process were used to compare and contrast both routes in terms of economic feasibility and environmental friendliness. The results of both the processes indicated that the total CO2 emissions were significantly reduced compared with their respective conventional processes.

Keywords

• CO₂ catalytic conversion
• methanol synthesis
• Fischer–Tropsch
• environmental analysis
• economic analysis