Butadiene production in membrane reactors: A techno-economic analysis. (12th June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brencio, Camilla; Maruzzi, Martina; Manzolini, Giampaolo; Gallucci, Fausto
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 47:Number 50(2022)
• Page Start: 21375
• Page End: 21390
• Publication Date: 2022-06-12
• Subjects: Butane dehydrogenation process -- Butadiene production -- Membrane reactors -- Hydrogen removal -- Techno-economic analysis; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.04.259
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: The direct dehydrogenation of butane (BDH) is emerging as an attractive on-purpose technology for the direct production of 1, 3-butadine. However, its product yield is hindered by the high rate of carbon deposition associated to the high temperature required for the highly endothermic reaction. In this work, we evaluated the use of H2 -selective membrane reactor, to increase the yield of the dehydrogenation process at milder operating conditions. The novel proposed membrane reactor (MR)-assisted BDH technology is compared from a techno-economic point of view with the benchmark technology. The results of this analysis reveal that the MR technology enables to work at milder operating temperatures (−85 °C), reducing carbon formation (−98.5%) and reactor duty (−10%). Due to the higher reaction yields, the MR-assisted BDH technology can lower the required shale gas-based feedstock, maintaining same production capacity as in the benchmark; this will result in an overall plant efficiency of 50.92% in the MR-assisted plant, compared to 37.7% of the benchmark case. This work demonstrates that MR-assisted technology is a valuable alternative to the conventional BDH technology, reducing of almost 20% the final cost of production of 1, 3-butadiene, due to the lower installation costs and the higher energy efficiency. Highlights: H2 -selective membrane reactors (MR) for the direct dehydrogenation of butane (BDH). Techno-economic feasibility of the MR-BDH technology compared to the benchmark. Lower operating temperature (−85 °C) enabled by the MR-BDH technology. Reduced CAPEX (−18%) and OPEX (−27%) obtained in the MR-BDH technology. 20% reduction in the butadiene cost of production achieved in the MR-BDH technology.