Unified modeling and feasibility study of novel green pathway of biomass to methanol/dimethylether. (1st May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ravaghi-Ardebili, Zohreh; Manenti, Flavio
• Is Part Of: Applied energy. Volume 145(2015:May 01)
• Page Start: 278
• Page End: 294
• Publication Date: 2015-05-01
• Subjects: Concentrating solar -- Biomass gasification -- Methanol synthesis; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy conservation -- Periodicals; Energy conversion -- Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.02.019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-2619

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Biomass-to-methanol/DME synthesis process layout. Highlights: Design, simulation, and control of the direct-storage concentrating solar plant. Feasibility study of the low-temperature biomass gasification. First-principles model of biomass gasifier. First-principles model of one-step methanol/dimethylether synthesis reactor. Integrated numerical platform for total plant simulation. Abstract: A novel, integrated and unified process is proposed, modeled and studied for converting biomass to methanol (MeOH)/dimethylether (DME) to demonstrate its feasibility and applicability for the global industrial sector. The unified process consists of a concentrating solar power (CSP) plant, which supplies the produced steam to the biomass gasification process as well as to the downstream conversions to chemical commodities and energy carriers. To preserve the effectiveness of the biomass gasification with low-temperature solar-powered generated steam (approximately 400–410 °C), the gasification process is studied by means of a multi-complex (multi-scale, multi-phase, and multi-component) model and adapted to the novel proposed conditions. The syngas generated in the biomass gasification unit is then converted into MeOH/DME by means of one-step synthesis technology to improve the overall yield of the biomass-to-methanol process.