Process design and downstream optimization of the direct synthesis route for cleaner production of dimethyl ether from biogas

This study investigates an innovative method to produce dimethyl ether (DME) by direct synthesis from syngas derived from biogas. The proposed process was rigorously simulated in Aspen Plus, highlighting the main sections: (i) biogas tri-reforming, (ii) dimethyl-ether synthesis, and (iii) DME purification. The tri-reforming section has a CO...

Rethinking the design of a 2-methoxy-2-methyl-heptane process by unraveling the true thermodynamics and kinetics

Among other fuel additives — such as MTBE, ETBE, or TAME — 2-methoxy-2-methyl heptane (MMH) can increase the fuel octane number and reduce the CO emission. MMH can be obtained through the exothermal etherification of 2-methyl-1-heptene and methanol. Lately, many researchers have developed more and more efficient processes considering the...

Reducing the environmental impacts of the production of melamine etherified resin fibre

Conventional plastic products present a serious burden to the environment, especially during their end-of-life phase. To tackle the rapid growth in plastic production, use and pollution, it is desirable to produce plastic materials more sustainably. Amongst these plastic materials which could be produced sustainably are Melamine Etherified...

Unraveling the effect of variable natural gas feedstock on an industrial ammonia process

Ammonia plays critical role as the second most produced chemical commodity with around 80% used in producing nitrogen-based fertilizer. Considering the decline of reserves of fossil-based feedstocks it is imperative to shift towards greener alternatives. However, such green ammonia processes are far from being economically viable. This makes...

Novel intensified process for ethanolamines production using reactive distillation and dividing-wall column technologies

Monoethanolamine is an essential chemical used as feedstock in the production of detergents, emulsifiers, pharmaceuticals, polishes, corrosion inhibitors, and chemical intermediates. It is produced industrially by treating ethylene oxide with aqueous ammonia, but the reaction also leads to di- and tri-ethanolamine as less desired by-products....

Enhancing the Separation Efficiency in Acetic Acid Manufacturing by Methanol Carbonylation

Acetic acid is an essential chemical used in the production of many chemical products. Using methanol as bio-building block, the acetic acid produced may be incorporated in bio-based products. This study deals with enhancing the efficiency of separations in a process using a homogeneous catalyst, which is the most applied today industrially....

Energy, exergy, and environmental analyses of renewable hydrogen production through plasma gasification of microalgal biomass

In this study, an energy, exergy, and environmental (3E) analyses of a plasma-assisted hydrogen production process from microalgae is investigated. Four different microalgal biomass fuels, namely, raw microalgae (RM) and three torrefied microalgal fuels (TM200, TM250, and TM300), are used as the feedstock for steam plasma gasification to...