Sorption enhanced dimethyl ether synthesis under industrially relevant conditions: experimental validation of pressure swing regeneration

Jasper van Kampen (Corresponding author), Jurriaan Boon, Jaap Vente, Martin van Sint Annaland

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Dimethyl ether (DME) is one of the most attractive alternative fuel solutions under consideration worldwide. However, its production from CO2-rich feedstock or CO2 directly is limited via conventional processes and therefore considered unattractive. For CO2 utilisation, the production and efficient handling of steam remains a major bottleneck. Sorption enhanced DME synthesis (SEDMES), which combines heterogeneous catalysis with in situ water adsorption, is a promising process intensification strategy for the direct production of DME from CO2. In this work, SEDMES is demonstrated experimentally on a bench-scale reactor with pressure swing regeneration under industrially relevant conditions. Pressure swing regeneration, rather than the time and energy intensive temperature swing regeneration, shows high performance with over 80% single-pass carbon selectivity to DME. This already allows for a factor four increase in productivity, with further optimisation still possible. With the proposed Sips working isotherm for the water adsorbent, and the methanol synthesis and dehydration kinetics, the validated dynamic cycle model adequately describes the SEDMES bench-scale data. Applying shorter cycle times, made possible by pressure swing regeneration, allows optimisation of the DME productivity while maintaining the high single-pass yield typical for SEDMES. The experimental confirmation shown in this paper unlocks the full potential of the high efficiency carbon and hydrogen utilisation by SEDMES technology.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)244-257
Number of pages14
JournalReaction Chemistry and Engineering
Volume6
Issue number2
Early online dateDec 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2021

Funding

Mrs. S. Booneveld, Mrs. Ö. Galin-Pirgon and Mr. R. Sumbharaju of TNO are kindly acknowledged for experimental support. This work has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 727600.

FundersFunder number
European Union's Horizon 2020 - Research and Innovation Framework Programme727600

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