Table 1: Comparison

Conversion of CO2 to Conversion of CO2 to

Conversion of CO2 to methane though catalytic
Alternative methanol through methanol through bi-
methanation
hydrogenation reforming

Raw material CO2, H2 CH4, CO2 and H2O CO2, H2

Nature of raw
Renewable Renewable Renewable
material
Sustainability  Various source of  Production of  Carbon dioxide is available in high volume and is
CO2 feedstock. methanol can considered cheap.
 Feedstock carbon replace fossil raw  Produce no harmful side product.
dioxide is materials.
inexpensive and  Reduce the
abundant. emissions of
 The hydrogen gas greenhouse gases.
can be derived from  Reduce the
electrolysis plant or potential of global
produced by steam warming and the
methane reforming, reduction will be
coal gasification and intensified with a
partial oxidation of clean energy
light oil residues. source.
 Recycling of carbon  Decrease the
dioxide gas into acidification
useful liquid fuels potential and only
instead of releasing emits 46% of the
it to the atmosphere. input of carbon
dioxide from the
  Reduce the
emissions of carbon
dioxide gas to the
atmosphere.
Hydrogenation of carbon
dioxide:
CO2 +3 H 2 ⇄ CH 3 OH + H 2 O
Reaction
plant[25].
 The price of
natural gas used in
this process is
cheap and act as
the driving force
for the methanol
production
company.
Syngas production: Methanation of Carbon dioxide:
3 CH 4 +2 H 2 O+CO2 ⇄ 4 CO+CO
8 H22+ 4 H 2 ⇄ CH 4 +2 H 2 O
Syngas conversion into
methanol:
4 CO +8 H 2 ⇄4 CH 3 OH

Catalyst

Catalyst used Zn/CuO doped with ZrO2 Zn/Cuo doped with Al2O3 Nickel( 50°C to 100°C)

Oxidation and Reduction

Catalyst recovery Oxidation and Reduction No regeneration of catalyst
Treatments

Environmental Impact Impact

Effect of product  Reduced The product is  Methane is one of Methane is one of the greenhouse gas that
to environment industrial methanol which is the gas that contributes to the climate change and it is
dependency on used as the renewable contributes to about 21 times more powerful compare to
crude oil and source of energy. greenhouse carbon dioxide.
natural gas. effect.
  Minimized the  Harmful to
greenhouse aquatic life with
effect by long lasting
recycling of effects.
carbon dioxide
to methanol.
 When burnt,
methanol
demonstrates
to be cleaner
than most
energy
sources.
 Compared to
gasoline and
other fuels,
methanol is
safer and less
toxic.
Effect of by- The production This process  Water is the by- The by-product of biological methanation is
product to process creates no produces carbon product of water, there is no harmful effect to
environment and toxic by-products, monoxide as the main methanation. environment and health.
health there is no harmful product. Carbon  Water does not
effect to environment monoxide can last in give any
and health. the atmosphere for harmful effect
almost a month and to the
can be transported surroundings
 over long distance. and heath.
Carbon monoxide can
react radical hydroxyl
(OH) forming
stronger greenhouse
gas, carbon dioxide.
Thus, increasing the
concentration of
methane which is also
another greenhouse
gas.
Energy Consumption
 About 1.03 High energy Energy consumed by stirrer
MWh energy consumption due to The methanation of - CO2 is nearly 23 times more soluble
required for high pressure and carbon dioxide is an than hydrogen in fermentation liquid
water temperature used exothermic catalytic - Due to low solubility of hydrogen,
electrolysis to during the reaction. reaction and is extra energy is needed by the stirrer to
produce Severe energy input operated at increase the mass transfer rate of
hydrogen. is also required due to temperatures between hydrogen to liquid.
Energy  13 kWh is the chemical stability 200°C and 550°C. The
Consumption crucial for the of carbon dioxide. energy consumption
compressor to The bi-reforming for this process is high
compress process is highly since it requires high
hydrogen and endothermic. temperature and
carbon dioxide pressure.
from 30 bar up
to 80 bar.
 Buy hydrogen gas Methanol conversion For maximum carbon Proceeds the reaction at higher pressure to
instead of producing process is dioxide conversion, it increase the solubility of hydrogen in liquid.
Way to control it. exothermic. The heat is convenient to split
energy generated can be the methanation into
consumption supplied for bi- several stages adding
reforming. cooling sections in
between.
Flexibility of Operation ation
Syngas production: Depends on the Depends on type of biocatalyst used.
800°C catalyst used. (220°C  mesophiles: 35 to 37°C
to 500°C)  thermophiles: 60 to 65°C
Temperature 200 to 300oC
Syngas conversion Nickel ( 50°C to
into methanol: 200 to 100°C)
300°C
Syngas production:
16 bar
Pressure 50 to 100 bar 20 bar 1 atm (1.01325 bar)
Syngas conversion
into methanol: 50 to
100 bar
Multi tubular plug Staged Fixed Bed
Reactor type used CSTR
flow Reactor
Reaction rate Fast Fast Fast Slow

Safety Factor
Safety precaution  Equipment Workers have to  Methane is Methane is flammable. It should be stored in
operate at high follow the standard flammable gas. dry, well- ventilated areas away from heat
 pressure. operating procedure It may be sources.
 This methanol for the process due to exploded if
synthesis can the equipment heated. So, it
be considered working at very high should store
as a ‘green’ temperature and away from heat
process if the pressure. Safety PPE sources.
main reactants, have must be wore all  All streams and
carbon dioxide times due to the toxic equipment in
and hydrogen, gas produced. this process
were to be operate at high
produced from pressures and
green and temperatures.
renewable All operators
sources. and employees
on the plant
should be
equipped with
safety
equipment and
well trained on
safety
procedures.
Health concern Carbon dioxide gas is The carbon monoxide  Inhalation of Methane presence in high concentration may
non-toxic, non- produced as the by- Methane can displace the oxygen supply and cause
corrosive and non- product of the damage the suffocation, loss of consciousness, headache,
flammable. reaction can cause fertility and dizziness, and vomiting. Skin contact with
severe damage to unborn child. liquid methane can cause frostbite.
human. Therefore,  High
 workers have to wear concentrations
proper PPE to avoid may cause
from inhaling the asphyxiation.
toxic gas. Contact with
gas or liquefied
gas may cause
burns, severe
injury and/or
frostbite.
Waste Management

 Oxygen gas.  Oxygen gas  The by product  Heat released from the reaction
 Carbon is water.  Water is produced as by-product.
 Water
monoxide
Waste produced
 Carbon  Water
Monoxide

Handling of  Sell oxygen  Oxygen is  The water can  The waste heat can be used to heat the
waste gas produced released to the send back to the fermentor
to obtain environment hydrolysis  Wastewater treatment before discharge
profit. as oxygen gas process to to environment.
is non-toxic produce
 Conveyed the
gas. hydrogen.
waste water to  Wastewater
 Filter the gas
waste water treatment
produced
treatment before
according to
before drained. discharge to
the toxic level
 Recycled acquired by environment.
carbon the
monoxide back Department of
to reactor for Safety and
methanol Health.
synthesis.  Wastewater
treatment
before
discharge to
environment.