Simulation of Decarbonization of Natural Gas to Methanol Conversion Process Using Microwave-Assisted Dry Reforming with Integrated Chemical Looping for Hydrogen Production

In this research, a chemical looping scheme is combined with dry reforming of natural gas in a novel microwave reactor to produce industrial quantity of methanol. Simulation results show that the chemical looping scheme can produce all the hydrogen required by the methanol reactor as well as a significant portion of the carbon dioxide required for the syngas reactor. A heat exchanger network is developed to substantially reduce the hot and cold utility usage. A technoeconomic analysis indicates a significant positive net present value along with a substantial reduction in carbon dioxide emissions as well as a reduction in energy consumption.