Design and analysis of sustainable chemical process employing dry reforming of methane reaction

Abstract

Recently, as CO$_2$ regulation gets much stricter due to global warming, CO$_2$ conversion has attracting much attention as one of the solutions to reduce CO$_2$ emissions. There are various options of CO$_2$ conversion such as dry reforming of methane, combined reforming and tri-reforming. Especially, Dry reforming of methane (DRM) is one of the promising CO$_2$ conversion reactions because one of its feed, natural gas, is cheap and the high CO$_2$ feed ratio (CH$_4$:CO$_2$=1:1) can lead to large CO$_2$ reduction effect comparing to other reforming. Also, produced H$_2$, CO syngas can be utilized for synthesizing chemical product. Although, DRM is promising CO$_2$ conversion reaction and has potential to achieve CO$_2$ reduction, CO$_2$ emission and economic analysis for industrial chemical product synthesis process starting from DRM has not been studied yet and we cannot know whether industrial chemical products synthesis with DRM is feasible or not. Therefore, in this thesis, design and analysis of chemical process based on DRM within the framework of CO$_2$ reduction and economic cost are focused. Two chemical product synthesis processes are analyzed. Fischer-Tropsh process is referred for production of synthetic fuel such as diesel, gasoline, and LPG, and Monsanto process which is the conventional process of acetic acid production is referred for acetic acid. CO$_2$ emission and operating cost of two chemical process based on DRM are calculated with Aspen Plus simulator and reference, then, compared with refinery and conventional process each.