Direct dimethyl ether production from carbon dioxide and biomass

This work aims to design a process in which we optimally produce dimethyl ether using biomass and carbon dioxide instead of using a fossil fuel-based pathway. Today, the use of fossil fuels is still very high. As a byproduct in fuel processing, the release of carbon dioxide into the air has increased rapidly over the last century, and caused the destruction of many natural equilibria, one consequence being global warming. Therefore, reuse of captured carbon dioxide from flue gases in new applications in a closed cycle is an important research area. In this study, the use of carbon dioxide both as a biomass gasification agent and as a reactant to produce dimethyl ether is investigated. As the biomass feedstock, olive tree pruning is used. The major products of the gasification process are carbon monoxide and hydrogen both of which are reactants in the production of dimethyl ether. Process design in which 5000 tons of CO2 is used per year in the DME production is carried out using ChemCAD software. The kinetic rate expressions of biomass gasification and dimethyl ether synthesis reactions are defined in ChemCAD using visual BASIC. Economic analysis of the process is carried out for 15 years of project life. The payback period and rate of return of the project on investment are presented.