Conceptual Design and Techno-Economic Analysis of a Novel Coal-to-Polyglycolic Acid Process Considering Wind–Solar Energy Complementary Features for Green H₂ Production and CO₂ Reduction

Abstract

The production of degradable polyglycolic acid from coal is a promising route for converting coal to high-end chemicals and can availably alleviate the problem of excess ethylene glycol. However, the traditional coal-to-polyglycolic acid (CtPGA) process wastes a lot of precious CO gases to adjust the H 2 /CO ratio, simultaneously producing a large amount of CO 2 emissions. To address this issue, this work proposes a novel coal-to-polyglycolic acid process integrated with green hydrogen from complementary wind and solar power (GHCtPGA). The complementary characteristics of solar and wind energy are investigated to generate green hydrogen. It is found that the hybrid power of wind−solar energy for the green hydrogen production process can significantly affect the capacity of the energy and hydrogen storage systems. After the modeling and simulation of the whole flowsheet of the CtPGA and GHCtPGA processes, the techno-economic and environmental performance of these processes is analyzed in detail. Compared with the CtPGA process, the GHCtPGA process reduces CO 2 emissions by 68.85% and improves carbon and exergy efficiencies by 11.57 and 2.72%, respectively. Furthermore, the economic performance of the GHCtPGA process is more satisfactory because its total capital investment is reduced by 11.32%, the total production cost is saved by 3.59%, and the internal rate of return is improved by 2.83%. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is conducted to explore the effect of coal price, electricity price, power consumption, and carbon tax on the economic advantages of the proposed GHCtPGA process. It indicates that the proposed GHCtPGA process has considerably stronger market risk resistance than the CtPGA process. Therefore, the proposed process provides a valuable PGA production route with low carbon, high efficiencies, and optimal economic trade-offs.

One-Pot Conversion of Polyester and Carbonate into Formate without External H2

“…Additionally, PGA is wellsuited for manufacturing disposable products owing to its adequate properties and high biodegradation rate. 19 With the ongoing development of the coal-to-PGA industry, 20 the production of PGA materials is expected to increase rapidly in the future. Therefore, it is crucial to make good use of carbon and hydrogen stored in PGA during the chemical cycling process.…”

Evaluation and Optimization of an Integrated Refrigeration and Dehumidification Process for Solar Energy Cascade Utilization Based on Exergy, Exergoeconomic, and Exergoenvironmental Analyses

“…Increasing the proportion of renewable and clean energy usage in building energy systems is undoubtedly an effective solution. 2 Solar energy is a good choice due to its abundant reserves and mature utilization technology. 3 However, the solar energy utilization efficiency of traditional solar systems is relatively low.…”

“…There is enormous potential and profound significance for energy saving and emissions reduction in building systems. Increasing the proportion of renewable and clean energy usage in building energy systems is undoubtedly an effective solution . Solar energy is a good choice due to its abundant reserves and mature utilization technology .…”

Decarbonylation of dimethyl oxalate to dimethyl carbonate over Cs2CO3/HZSM-5

“…The rapid expansion of coal-to-ethylene glycol (CtEG) industry after its industrialization in 2009 leads to the supply of EG far exceeding the demand, and the profit room of the CtEG industry is gradually lost or even in deficit for a long time. 19,20 Thus, in the face of this situation, how to turn losses into profits is an urgent problem to be solved for the CtEG industry. Dimethyl oxalate (DMO) is the most important intermediate in the CtEG process, which is produced in huge quantities with the development of the process.…”