Exergy Analysis of Methanol Production Plant from Hydrogenation of Carbon Dioxide

Abstract

Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through carbon capture and conversion to fuel and other useful products is a focus of recent research. Among all fuels, CO₂ to methanol stands out for its efficiency and promise. To make the CO₂-to-methanol (CTM) process sustainable and efficient, it needs to be analyzed with respect to its thermodynamic potential. Conventionally, energy analysis was used, but exergy analysis is an advanced tool used for this purpose. In this study, the Aspen Plus-based CTM model was developed, and its exergy analysis was carried out. Physical exergy data are taken from Aspen Plus V.11, while an interface between Aspen Plus and Excel was used to calculate the exergy destruction, exergy efficiency, and the improvement potential of the process. All three sections of the CTM model were compared and it was observed that the separation section has the highest exergy destruction of 37,225.89 KW with an exergy efficiency and exergetic improvement potential of 76.17% and 8870.75 KW, respectively.