Modelling and process integration study of dimethyl ether synthesis from syngas derived from biomass gasification: Flowsheet simulation

Abstract

This study aims to model a plant for synthesis dimethyl ether via methanol using syngas derived from biomass gasification. Two steps prior to dimethyl ether synthesis gas composition adjustment and purification to remove the acid components were explicitly analysed. Process simulation of the technological installation was implemented in the CHEMCAD software. The technological aspects of the installation are discussed, especially the process integration of the biomass gasification node with the synthesis of dimethyl ether. The model allows one to consider different technological variants related to the feasibility of this technological installation, to examine the impact of process parameters on the production efficiency and minimise energy consumption or costs associated with running the process. Research on such models could improve the energy efficiency and reduce the process energy consumption of this green technology.

Keywords

• Bio-syngas
• Biomass-to-methanol/dimethyl ether synthesis
• Modelling
• Simulation