Power-to-X: CO2 Utilization Routes Assessment

Power-to-X (PtX) offers a transformative solution to the intermittency issues associated with the growing integration of renewable energy in our future energy systems. It is an umbrella terms used to represent all the pathways for energy storage, conversion, and reconversion into various energy vectors. The focus of our analysis, however, is on chemical conversion and particularly carbon dioxide utilization pathways. This study is divided into two main parts, the central aim of the first part is to perform literature research to consolidate the knowledge of PtX processes, particularly for carbon dioxide utilization through chemical conversion pathways. During the first phase of the project, a high-level assessment of multiple CO2 valorization routes and molecules was performed based on the internal knowledge of Technip Energies (T.EN) and extensive literature research. As a result, seven primary molecules (Formic acid, Formaldehyde, Dimethyl ether, Methane, Methanol, Ethylene, and Propylene) were shortlisted and researched upon to prepare detailed molecule datasheets containing all the production pathways (conventional vs novel pathways through carbon dioxide conversion). Several key performance indicators (KPIs) were identified, and a thorough scoring and screening standard was formulated to access the performance of each molecule based on those KPIs in order to select the best scoring molecule in terms of economic, environmental, social and health and safety perspective. After the preliminary selection of the desired molecule to be produced through CO2 conversion, the objective of second phase of the project is to develop T.EN’s own process scheme and simulation for molecule synthesis. During this phase of the project, detailed process scheme with heat and material balances was developed and process simulations were performed on Aspen HYSYS. Moving forward, a techno-economic evaluation of the proposed solution would be prepared for determination of the Levelized Cost of Production (LCOP) of the molecule and a life cycle assessment would be performed to fully evaluate the environmental implications of the process.