Work

Ecologic and Economic Evaluation of Combined Methanol Synthesis from CO2 and Biotechnological Upgrading to Value Products. Part 1: Environmental Impact

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The conversion of waste biomass with green hydrogen into methanol and subsequent biotechnological conversion of this into valuable materials could be a promising value chain. Starting from biogenic CO2 and green H2, methanol is produced in a first process path. This is then split into two separate process paths: methanol is used (i) in a biotechnological process with genetically modified bacteria to produce crotonic acid and (ii) to produce biomass protein. To evaluate the ecologically and economic benefits of both biological processes to the conventional production routes, first life cycle assessment and techno‐economic assessment of biotechnological and chemical processes are accomplished. For this, a baseline scenario and several scenarios are calculated to investigate the influence of various parameters on environmental impact and economic efficiency. The results also identify the processes that are mainly responsible for costs and environmental impact, as well as the material, energy and waste flows, and process parameters that cause them. From this, measures and conditions for improving economic efficiency and environmental impact are derived.

Source: Chemie Ingenieur Technik

DOI: 10.1002/cite.202400004

Authors: Mehran Taherkhani, Niels Hanau, Rebecca Lehmpfuhl, Ralf Ehret

Institution: Provadis School of International Management and Technology

Language: English

Topic: Environmental Impact and Sustainability

Subfield: Environmental Engineering

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Climate action, Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,840