Thermodynamic Analysis of Coupling a SOEC in Co‐Electrolysis Mode with the Dimethyl Ether Synthesis

Abstract

This work describes a thermodynamic model of an integrated system for the production of a syngas, via a solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC), coupled with a subsequent catalytic upgrading into dimethyl ether (DME). The proposed energy system has been investigated on a thermodynamic basis, including exergy analysis.The syngas composition required for the catalytic upgrading is strongly affecting the SOEC design. SOEC operating conditions have been chosen in order to reach an H 2 /CO ratio close to 1 while avoiding carbon formation. The produced syngas from the SOEC is then pre-treated and DME is synthesized in a one-step reactor in which both methanol synthesis and dehydration occur. Two different plant configurations have been investigated including an ambient pressure and a pressurized system. The layout and operating parameters have been chosen in order to maximize the purity of the produced DME without affecting the overall efficiency and yield. The global heat demand has been assessed with the waste heat recovery method. In the optimal configuration, an improvement in the DME content of the final product is obtained, reaching a value of 99.8% in mass. Therefore, such configuration would allow the final product to be readily used for transportation applications.

Techno-economic evaluation of biomass-to-fuels with solid-oxide electrolyzer

“…Green hydrogen is mainly produced via H 2 O electrolysis driven by renewable power with the by-product, i.e., high purity oxygen, used as the gasification agent. In this way, the expensive and energy-intensive cryogenic air separation unit (ASU) can be avoided [17,22]. A big potential is predicted for such power-to-fuels processes, and it has been predicted that nearly half of total ammonia and two-thirds of methanol will be produced via electrolysis by 2050 [23].…”

Techno-Economic Optimization of CO2-to-Methanol with Solid-Oxide Electrolyzer

“…The obtained hydrogen (17) is transported to the methanol synthesis process, while the oxygen is piped to the oxygen station as a byproduct. The sweep oxygen (11) is cooled or heated to 750 • C and fed into the SOE for the thermal management of the stack. of methanol with a purity of 99.7 wt%, which is the common scale of commercial methanol plants.…”

Modelling of SOEC-FT reactor: Pressure effects on methanation process

“…G. Botta et, al. [13] analysed the methane content in a dimethyl ether synthesis process using syngas produced from SOEC by H2O and CO2 co-electrolysis.…”