CO2-to-Olefins Conversion With Integrated Ethanol and CO2 Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of resins and plastics from fossil fuels results in high CO2 emissions, and there is a need for sustainable alternatives to reduce atmospheric emissions and eliminate the need for burning fossil fuels, as renewable energy sources like biomass are insufficient to meet demand.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for converting carbon dioxide into ethylene and ethanol using a reduction catalyst, followed by separation and hydration processes to produce light olefins and ethanol, which includes CO2 removal and cracking reactions to optimize product yield and reduce catalyst deactivation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If fossil fuels (naphtha, ethane, coal) are used to produce ethylene and resins, then production volume and economic output are achieved, but CO2 emissions intensity increases significantly (1.8-2.0 t-CO2/ton for naphtha, 10 t-CO2/ton for coal)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of carbon source from fossil fuels to CO2, transforming the chemical feedstock to eliminate the harmful emission source while maintaining production capability through catalytic conversion processes
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts CO2, a harmful greenhouse gas, into valuable chemical feedstock for producing ethylene and resins, transforming an environmental pollutant into an economic resource and simultaneously reducing atmospheric CO2 concentrations
2Manufacturing precision
If complex separation techniques are used to purify light olefins from product mixtures, then product purity is improved, but device complexity and process steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes CO2 from the product mixture using selective absorption or adsorption processes, isolating the desired light olefins while eliminating the need for complex multi-stage separation techniques by directly producing a cleaner product stream
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method and system significantly reduce CO2 emissions by converting it into valuable chemicals like ethylene and ethanol, improving conversion and selectivity, and eliminating complex separation techniques, while producing food-grade ethanol and light olefins for further processing.
Implementation Method 1
contacting a reduction gas and the carbon source gas with a reduction catalyst to afford an effluent stream comprising a medium hydrocarbon product mixture and a light product mixture
Implementation Method 2
contacting a reduction gas and the carbon source gas with a reduction catalyst
Implementation Method 3
separating the light product mixture from the medium hydrocarbon product mixture
Implementation Method 4
removing CO2 from at least a portion of the light product mixture to provide a light hydrocarbon stream
Implementation Method 5
chilling and/or drying the light hydrocarbon stream
Implementation Method 6
contacting the ethylene with an ethylene hydration catalyst to make ethanol
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are systems and methods for converting carbon dioxide into ethanol and/or light olefins, such as ethylene and propylene. The systems and methods may be utilized to increase the yield of diverse and usable products by converting an otherwise undesirable light hydrocarbon stream, e.g., from a process for converting carbon dioxide to fuel.