Methanol production from Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) CHE 397 Group Charlie Priya Chetty, Scott Morgan, Brian Mottel, Daniyal Qamar, Sukhjinder Singh Mentor: Dennis O’ Brien Dr. Jeffery Perl

History Natural gas, wood, and coal were used prior to the use of syngas Hydrogenation of CO and CO2 at 300-1000atm and 400 ˚C In 1923 Mittasch and Pier used syngas to synthesize Methanol Introduction of catalysts Modern era – Copper based catalysts at affordable reaction conditions Daniyal

Objectives Eliminate the dependence on natural gas Significant reduction in total quantity of waste sent to landfills Optimum yield of Methanol from given amount of syngas Ensure process is economically profitable while remaining competitive in market Produce sufficient amount to meet demand Sukh

Basis Plasma Gasification of MSW to obtain syngas Ideal syngas concentration 64 vol% H2 27 vol% CO 3 vol% CO2 6 vol% impurities SN = [H2] - [CO2] = 2.0         [CO] + [CO2] 1 ton MSW = 102 gal Methanol Projected 204 million gal Methanol per year Scott Need CO2 because it activates the catalysts CO2 is also believed to keep the catalysts in an intermediate oxidation state (Cu0/Cu+), preventing ZnO reduction followed by brass formation.

Reactions CO + 2H2 ↔ CH3OH CO +H2O ↔ CO2 + H2 CO2 + H2O ↔ CH3OH +3H2O Exothermic Reactions occur at 50-100 atm over Cu-Zn-Al oxide based catalysts with no S Temperature Upper limit 400 C to prevent Methane production CO2 is needed to activate some catalysts Daniyal High P because decrease in moles when reaction occurs. If we increase pressure the reaction will try to go towards whatever decreases the pressure so towards the right(less moles less volume). Since its exothermic low temp is suitable, the reaction wants to produce more heat.

Reaction Conditions *Perry’s Eighth edition ** Perry’s Seventh edition Raw Materials Pressure Temperature Catalyst Reactor Residence Time (CO, H2)* 340 atm 350-400 ° C ZnO-Cr2O3 Fluidized Bed 5000 GHSV (CO,CO2, H2)** 50-100atm 250-300 °C Cu-Zn-Al oxides Daniyal *Perry’s Eighth edition ** Perry’s Seventh edition

Basic Flow Diagram Methanol Synthesis from MSW Brian

Competing Processes Source of Methanol Pressure/Temperature Natural Gas Coal Wood Plasma Gasification of MSW Pressure/Temperature Sukh Natural Gas running out and can be used for heating homes. High Pressure maybe high yield but everything will cost more.

Environmental Analysis Based on estimate of 5,000 tons/day of MSW, process will reduce landfill waste by 1.825M tons annually Utilizing MSW also results in the capture of heavy metals which prevents water contamination due to run-off Neutral process Scott

Market Outlook MSW tipping fee is $35/ton Methanol is currently at $1.35/gal In US between mid-August and mid-November Methanol contracts were up 25% Spot Methanol were up 28% Priya

Priya Courtesy of MBET practicum project

Current Production 18 Methanol plants in the US, which produce 2.6 Billion gallons/yr 90 Methanol plants worldwide, which produce 11 Billion gallons/yr Methanol industry generates $12 Billion/yr and employs 100k personnel Priya

Future Objectives Operating conditions and the cost and maintenance associated Types and cost of equipment needed Type and cost of catalyst(s) Storage and transportation cost of methanol Production of other chemicals using methanol Brian

Questions???

References "Fundamentals of Methanol Synthesis - Supermethanol - The GtM Concept." Home - Supermethanol - The GtM Concept. Web. 23 Jan. 2011. <http://www.supermethanol.eu/index.php?id=21&rid=12&r=methanol_synthesis&PHPSESSID=4fj9m3a9tpl8q1et6msktg85o3>. Zoltan, Kish, and Ernie Dueck. "MBET Practicum Project - Waste to Methanol Pitch.”24 Apr. 2010. Web. 24 Jan. 2011. Perry, Robert H., and Don W. Green. Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook. 7th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1997. Print. Green, Don W.; Perry, Robert H. Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook. 8th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2008. Print. "Methanol." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 24 Jan. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanol>.