Process analysis of integrated green hydrogen and e-methanol production

The aim of the thesis is the analysis of a sustainable process for the production of e-methanol, starting from green hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide, in order to favor the transition towards cleaner productions to overcome all the issues related to the conventional methanol production derived from fossil fuels that are the main responsible for the climate change. After a general discussion about the different available electrolytic systems and carbon capture technologies, the system under analysis is implemented on Aspen Plus simulation software, starting from data provided from Seingim Global S.r.l. The electrolysis unit and the methanol production section are simulated based on data provided, literature and previous knowledge. The analysis of the given process is then performed firstly through a thermal analysis aimed to evaluate the efficiency of the system, followed by a techno-economic assessment that leads to the definition of the levelized cost of e-methanol and to the environmental impact related to it. A comparison is made with respect to the conventional methanol production process from fossil fuels, showing the higher degree of sustainability of this new innovative process but underlying its still higher costs of production.