Process design and evaluation of syngas-to-ethanol conversion plants

摘要

Synthesis gas (syngas) is mostly known by its use on ammonia (Harber-Bosch process) and hydrocarbons (Fischer-Tropsch process) production processes. However, a less explored route to produce chemical products, among them alcohols and other oxygenates, from syngas has been gaining attention over the last few years. In this route, an initial feedstock as biomass is firstly gasified to synthesis gas, which is reformed, cleaned, compressed and finally catalytically converted into a mixture of alcohols and oxygenated products. After separation steps, these products attain sufficient purity to be sold. In this work, the thermochemical route, is used aiming ethanol production from syngas. Using the commercial simulator Aspen Plus, were proposed four study cases using 3 different categories of catalysts in 4 different process layouts. All the cases were evaluated regarding their productivity, energy consumption, and aspects of economic importance. The results show the technical viability to produce ethanol from syngas, proving an energy surplus of all processes and a reasonable production of the main product. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.