Global CO2 Initiative Complete Oxymethylene Ethers Study 2018

Abstract

This document contains worked examples of how to apply the accompanying “Techno Economic Assessment & Life Cycle Assessment Guidelines for CO2 Utilization” for oxymethylene ethers (OME). The Guidelines can be downloaded via http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/145436. These worked examples are not intended to be a definitive TEA or LCA report on the process described, but are provided as supporting material to show how the TEA and LCA methodologies described in the guidelines can be specifically applied to tackle the issues surrounding CO2 utilization.

The goal of this study was to identify economic opportunities and barriers for OME3-5, derive R&D pathways and benchmark values. The OME3-5 production process included seven system elements: membrane carbon capture, PEM water electrolysis as well as the synthesis of methanol, formaldehyde, trioxane, methylal (OME1) and OME3-5, combining and adjusting the findings of two prior studies from Michailos et al. (2018) and Schmitz et al. (2016).[1,2] Conventional diesel fuel and OME3-5 from conventional methanol are selected as benchmark products.

The results are judged to be uncertain relating to -30% to +50% due to the low technical maturity of membrane carbon capture and OME3-5 conversion. The results are found to be sensitive to location and time related factors (currency, CEPCI, location factor) as well as to the technical and economic specifications of the water electrolysis process, especially electricity consumptions, electricity price and electrolyser capex. Under the optimistic assumptions of free electricity and electrolyzer capex of 330 MW, the COGM of OME3-5 becomes competitive in Germany but not in the United States due to the higher diesel prices in Germany.