Coproduction of Acetic Acid and Hydrogen/Power from Natural Gas with Zero Carbon Dioxide Emissions

A process plant flow sheet that coproduces acetic acid and hydrogen/power from natural gas with zero carbon dioxide emissions is developed. Two cases are explored: the production of acetic acid and hydrogen (Case 1) and the production of acetic acid and power (Case 2). This is realized by the selection of an appropriate reaction cluster whose sum results in the overall reaction that coproduces acetic acid and hydrogen/power. The concept of energetic self-sufficiency is introduced and it imposes constraints on the system defined in terms of the ratio of oxygen feed to acetic acid produced. Heat and power integration of the converged flow sheet reveals an operating range for each case that guarantees energetic self-sufficiency. Operating points are chosen to conduct a preliminary economic analysis and a carbon dioxide cost and performance metric calculation to quantify profitability and carbon capture potential of the overall process. (C) 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers