(129c) Systematic Synthesis Framework for the Development of CO2 and H2 sinks: A P-Graph Approach

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions are increasing at a significant rate, in order to meet the energy demands of a growing population. To curb the detrimental effects of these emissions, whilst providing for the energy requirements of the population, an energy source that utilizes CO₂ should ideally be introduced into our infrastructure. This research utilizes a P-Graph superstructure approach, to encompass a wide array of CO₂ reaction pathways that produce methanol and dimethyl ether – both of which have proven to be prominent in the energy industry. Reaction pathway possibilities were simulated using Aspen Plus software. 85 Possible case studies were then analyzed from an environmental and economical perspective, in order to determine the most feasible pathway to produce the aforementioned products. The use of a CuO/ZnO/Al₂O₃ catalyst at 240^oC and 80 bar pressure, was found to be the most feasible option to produce methanol. The most feasible scenario for the production of dimethyl ether, on the other hand, is to produce methanol over the aforementioned catalyst, and then further dehydrate the methanol over an Al/Si catalyst at 400^oC and 25 bar pressure. This presentation aims to detail the systematic framework used in the P-Graph analysis, when arriving at these two reaction pathways.