CATALYTIC SYNTHESIS OF ALCOHOL Group Alpha Greg Dicosola Tim O’Brien Tim Bannon Hasseb Quadri Catalina Mogollon CHEMICAL ENGINEERING DESIGN PROJECT

SUMMARY  Catalytic conversion of synthesis (syn) gas to higher-value chemicals such us methanol or butanol. Syn gas is produced from switchgrass via a thermochemical process called gasification. SWITCHGRASS SYN GAS METHANOL OR BUTANOL GASIFICATION CATALYTIC CONVERSION

As an energy source:  Renewable  Native to the central United States  Fast Growing: 11.5 dry tons/ acre/ year  Little or no fertilizer required Potential Problem:  Can we use it efficiently? FEEDSTOCK: SWITCHGRASS

BACKGROUND - Much of the groundwork already laid out. - Ethanol from corn (1:1) Energy - Ethanol from switchgrass (1:5) Energy - Switchgrass 100 gal ethanol per ton Fuel Production from Switchgrass

Advantages of Butanol  Four carbon alcohol, double the carbon of ethanol and 25% more energy  Has Reid value of 0.33 psi, it is safer to handle than gas, 4.5, and ethanol, 2.0  Nearly drop in replacement for gasoline  Yields no SOx, NOx, or carbon monoxide Methanol 63 KBtu /gal Ethanol 84 KBtu /gal Butanol 110 KBtu /gal

 Reduce dependence on fossil fuels  Greenhouse gas emissions 94% lower than gasoline  Increase in CO2 absorption from atmosphere  Decrease soil erosion Environmental Benefits

SWITCHGRASS COMPOSITION: Elemental Composition Mass Fraction C H O N S Ash TOTAL1.0000

 Production basis: Equivalent energy of 1,589,870 LPD  For methanol – 3,090,866 LPD  Carbon needed: 40,253 Kg/Hr  For butanol – 1,894,777 LPD  Carbon needed: 43,620 Kg/Hr Assuming 44,000 Kg/Hr Carbon needed covers both cases. DESIGN BASIS

Plant will be located in the Midwest to keep feedstock transportation to less than 100 miles from the plant. Ideally, the plant location will have rail access. Plant will require at least 50 acres for operation and storage of switchgrass.  Alcohol synthesis basis: 95%  Gasifier synthesis basis: 85%  Switchgrass yield basis (Dart mouth): 11.5 tons/acre  1,740,325 acres needed annually  A Proper amount of steam and oxygen will be added to achieve a 2:1 molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide  Requires a circular area around the plant with a radius of less than 60 miles.