Assessment on CO2 Utilization through Rigorous Simulation: Converting CO2 to Dimethyl Carbonate

This paper intends to discuss the economical performances and CO2 reduction potential of two CO2-based dimethyl carbonate (DMC) production processes through rigorous process simulation. One of them is the direct production process with addition of butylene oxide (BO) as dehydrating agent (DIR-BO porocess), while the other is the indirect production process through ethylene carbonate (EC) as an intermediate (IND-EC process). Both processes are systematically optimized and heat-integrated. From economical evaluation, the IND-EC process exhibits economical attractiveness, while the DIR-BO process does not. We suggest that once the reaction rate of the DIR-BO process can be improved, the overall economic performance of the direct process can be much better. From the aspect of CO2 reduction, the net CO2 emissions throughout both processes are calculated. We found that DIR-EO process is largely carbon positive, with CO2 emission of 2.242 (kg CO2/kg DMC), yet for the IND-EC process, it is near carbon neutral, with CO2 emission of 0.049 (kg CO2/kg DMC). Thus, from the aspect of achieving CO2 reduction, converting it into DMC provides limited benefits.