Conceptual design, techno-economic and environmental evaluation of a coal-based polygeneration process for ethylene glycol and polymethoxy dimethyl ethers production

Abstract

Abstract Coal-based polygeneration technology is regarded as a promising alternative to utilize coal more efficiently and cleanly. In this study, a novel coal-based polygeneration process for ethylene glycol and polymethoxy dimethyl ethers production (CtE&D) is investigated and compared with the standalone reference system. The whole flowsheet of the CtE&D process is simulated firstly to establish its material and exergy balance, water balance, steam balance, and element balance. A detailed technical, economic, and environmental analysis is conducted to manifest the advantages of the CtE&D process. Compared with the standalone reference system, results show that the novel CtE&D process is promising since it increases the exergy efficiency by 2.11%, saves the total capital investment and total production cost by 7.52% and 5.52%, and improves the net present value by 262M$. Moreover, it reduces the CO2 emissions, wastewater, and solid waste emissions by 2.97%, 4.15%, and 2.84%, respectively. This paper provides a new direction for clean and efficient utilization of coal resources, and supplies a set of evaluation method for polygeneration systems from technical, economic, and environmental viewpoints.