Process simulation and optimization of methanol production and utilization for electricity generation

• Fuel cell power plant for the production of methanol is presented. • Process modelling & simulation of CO 2 hydrogenation to methanol is studied. • CO 2 hydrogenation unit produces methanol with 48.9% yield. • Direct methanol fuel cell has energy efficiency of 30%. The utilisation of liquid organic carriers for hydrogen storage has demonstrated to be a highly effective method for storing hydrogen under ambient temperature and pressure conditions. Methanol has a hydrogen (H 2 ) content of 12.6% by weight and can be synthesised by the process of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) hydrogenation. The main goal of the study is to demonstrate methanol’s role as a hydrogen carrier and its application in a direct methanol fuel cell for energy generation. The suggested system synthesises methanol by utilizing green hydrogen with CO 2 recovered from industrial sources. The Aspen Plus simulation of the DMFC showed a 58% methanol conversion and a 61% energy efficiency (Methanol-to-power).