Process Simulation and Environmental Aspects of Dimethyl Ether Production from Digestate-Derived Syngas

Aristide Giuliano, Enrico Catizzone and Cesare Freda
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Aristide Giuliano: ENEA–Italian Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Energy Technologies and Renewable Sources Department, Trisaia Research Centre, I-75026 Rotondella, Italy
Enrico Catizzone: ENEA–Italian Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Energy Technologies and Renewable Sources Department, Trisaia Research Centre, I-75026 Rotondella, Italy
Cesare Freda: ENEA–Italian Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Energy Technologies and Renewable Sources Department, Trisaia Research Centre, I-75026 Rotondella, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 2, 1-21

Abstract: The production of dimethyl ether from renewables or waste is a promising strategy to push towards a sustainable energy transition of alternative eco-friendly diesel fuel. In this work, we simulate the synthesis of dimethyl ether from a syngas (a mixture of CO, CO 2 and H 2 ) produced from gasification of digestate. In particular, a thermodynamic analysis was performed to individuate the best process conditions and syngas conditioning processes to maximize yield to dimethyl etehr (DME). Process simulation was carried out by ChemCAD software, and it was particularly focused on the effect of process conditions of both water gas shift and CO 2 absorption by Selexol ® on the syngas composition, with a direct influence on DME productivity. The final best flowsheet and the best process conditions were evaluated in terms of CO 2 equivalent emissions. Results show direct DME synthesis global yield was higher without the WGS section and with a carbon capture equal to 85%. The final environmental impact was found equal to −113 kgCO 2 /GJ, demonstrating that DME synthesis from digestate may be considered as a suitable strategy for carbon dioxide recycling.

Keywords: dimethyl ether; digestate; gasification; process simulation; carbon footprint (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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