Life cycle environmental performance of methanol production through photocatalytic dry methane reforming
Photocatalytic dry methane reforming uses light energy and a nanostructured photocatalyst to convert both carbon dioxide and methane gas to syngas for production of fuels and value-added chemicals. The conversion of these two greenhouse gases (GHG) makes photocatalytic dry methane reforming a potent...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of CO2 Utilization |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212982023002494 |
| _version_ | 1797356093387571200 |
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| author | B. Robbins A. Gaona A. Tavasoli J.A. Bergerson B.A. Saville H.L. MacLean |
| author_facet | B. Robbins A. Gaona A. Tavasoli J.A. Bergerson B.A. Saville H.L. MacLean |
| author_sort | B. Robbins |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Photocatalytic dry methane reforming uses light energy and a nanostructured photocatalyst to convert both carbon dioxide and methane gas to syngas for production of fuels and value-added chemicals. The conversion of these two greenhouse gases (GHG) makes photocatalytic dry methane reforming a potentially environmentally attractive process; however, little research has been done to assess its life cycle environmental impacts in comparison to conventional commodity chemical production methods. Further, practical research has been limited to lab scale studies, which do not fully reflect the technical and environmental performance of commercial scale systems. In this work, a simulation describing the production of methanol from a photocatalytic dry reforming process is used to inform a life cycle assessment to estimate its potential environmental impacts at scale. Results indicate that for methanol produced via photocatalytic dry methane reforming to have the same life cycle GHG intensity as methanol produced through conventional steam methane reforming, a combination of improved technological performance and process intensification is required. This includes increased chemical conversion, electricity grid decarbonization, and the use of low greenhouse gas intensive feedstocks. Promisingly, results indicate that methanol produced using a photocatalytic dry methane reforming process that employs landfill gas as a feedstock and 100% renewable electricity, could potentially produce methanol with a negative global warming potential. Opportunities to improve the environmental impact of a photocatalytic dry reforming process so as to widen its scenario applicability are also discussed. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T14:21:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e5e25846695a41599fddfe271a681010 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2212-9839 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T14:21:41Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of CO2 Utilization |
| spelling | doaj.art-e5e25846695a41599fddfe271a6810102024-01-14T05:38:24ZengElsevierJournal of CO2 Utilization2212-98392024-01-0179102638Life cycle environmental performance of methanol production through photocatalytic dry methane reformingB. Robbins0A. Gaona1A. Tavasoli2J.A. Bergerson3B.A. Saville4H.L. MacLean5Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College St., Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E5, CanadaDepartment of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College St., Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E5, CanadaDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 25 Ames St., Cambridge MA 02142, USADepartment of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Calgary, ENB 202, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, CanadaDepartment of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College St., Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E5, CanadaDepartment of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College St., Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E5, Canada; Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, 35 Saint George St, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A4, Canada; Corresponding author at: Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College St., Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E5, Canada.Photocatalytic dry methane reforming uses light energy and a nanostructured photocatalyst to convert both carbon dioxide and methane gas to syngas for production of fuels and value-added chemicals. The conversion of these two greenhouse gases (GHG) makes photocatalytic dry methane reforming a potentially environmentally attractive process; however, little research has been done to assess its life cycle environmental impacts in comparison to conventional commodity chemical production methods. Further, practical research has been limited to lab scale studies, which do not fully reflect the technical and environmental performance of commercial scale systems. In this work, a simulation describing the production of methanol from a photocatalytic dry reforming process is used to inform a life cycle assessment to estimate its potential environmental impacts at scale. Results indicate that for methanol produced via photocatalytic dry methane reforming to have the same life cycle GHG intensity as methanol produced through conventional steam methane reforming, a combination of improved technological performance and process intensification is required. This includes increased chemical conversion, electricity grid decarbonization, and the use of low greenhouse gas intensive feedstocks. Promisingly, results indicate that methanol produced using a photocatalytic dry methane reforming process that employs landfill gas as a feedstock and 100% renewable electricity, could potentially produce methanol with a negative global warming potential. Opportunities to improve the environmental impact of a photocatalytic dry reforming process so as to widen its scenario applicability are also discussed.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212982023002494Photocatalytic Dry Methane ReformingMethanol ProductionEmerging Technology AssessmentLife Cycle AssessmentSolar ModelingChemical Process Modeling. Carbon Capture and Utilization |
| spellingShingle | B. Robbins A. Gaona A. Tavasoli J.A. Bergerson B.A. Saville H.L. MacLean Life cycle environmental performance of methanol production through photocatalytic dry methane reforming Journal of CO2 Utilization Photocatalytic Dry Methane Reforming Methanol Production Emerging Technology Assessment Life Cycle Assessment Solar Modeling Chemical Process Modeling. Carbon Capture and Utilization |
| title | Life cycle environmental performance of methanol production through photocatalytic dry methane reforming |
| title_full | Life cycle environmental performance of methanol production through photocatalytic dry methane reforming |
| title_fullStr | Life cycle environmental performance of methanol production through photocatalytic dry methane reforming |
| title_full_unstemmed | Life cycle environmental performance of methanol production through photocatalytic dry methane reforming |
| title_short | Life cycle environmental performance of methanol production through photocatalytic dry methane reforming |
| title_sort | life cycle environmental performance of methanol production through photocatalytic dry methane reforming |
| topic | Photocatalytic Dry Methane Reforming Methanol Production Emerging Technology Assessment Life Cycle Assessment Solar Modeling Chemical Process Modeling. Carbon Capture and Utilization |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212982023002494 |
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