Wind-hydrogen utilization for methanol production: An economy assessment in Iran

This study investigates the feasibility to synthesis methanol from its flue gas and wind hydrogen. The concept is to mitigate CO2 emission through flue gas recovery. Synthesizing methanol, on the other hand requires hydrogen at the rate of 3 kmol/kmol of carbon dioxide. Electrolysis is one method by which hydrogen can be produced cleanly from renewable source. Here it is assumed that the electrolysis unit is fed with the electricity from neighbor wind farms. Oxygen will be produced as a byproduct in electrolysis unit. However, electrolytic oxygen could be utilized for partial oxidation of methane in autothermal reactor (ATR). Onboard water electrolysis facilitates the oxygen and hydrogen storage, delivery and marketing. This study focuses on an integrated system of methanol production which enables green methanol synthesis through a system with zero carbon emission. Green methanol synthesis is comprised of CO2 capturing and recycling along with renewable hydrogen generation. The produced hydrogen and CO2 will be directed to methanol synthesis unit. By employing the integrated system for methanol synthesis, we could reduce the cost of using renewable energy technology.