A flexible methanol-to-methane thermochemical energy storage system (TCES) for gas turbine (GT) power production

This study introduces an innovative solution to address the challenges arising from the volatile natural gas market and the growing integration of renewable energy sources within the industrial sector. The research strives to confront this challenge by including renewable methanol (CH3OH) and conver...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Rodríguez Pastor, Diego Antonio, García Guzmán, Alejandro, Marqués-Valderrama, Israel, Ortiz Domínguez, Carlos, Carvajal Trujillo, Elisa, Becerra Villanueva, José Antonio, Soltero Sánchez, Víctor Manuel, Chacartegui, Ricardo
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2024
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Sevilla (US)
Repositorio:idUS. Depósito de Investigación de la Universidad de Sevilla
OAI Identifier:oai:idus.us.es:11441/152645
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/11441/152645
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2023.122398
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Thermochemical energy storage
Gas turbine
Methanol
Methane
Syngas
Solar
CSP
Descripción
Sumario:This study introduces an innovative solution to address the challenges arising from the volatile natural gas market and the growing integration of renewable energy sources within the industrial sector. The research strives to confront this challenge by including renewable methanol (CH3OH) and converting it into methane (CH4), with an intermediate step involving synthesis gas (CO/H2) by using concentrating solar power. This approach provides a sustainable and adaptable solution to reduce dependence on natural gas. The process entails a methanol decomposition reaction at moderate temperatures (<350 °C). Subsequently, the synthesis gas is compressed to 40 bar, stored, and discharged through a methanation process that can be conducted at high temperatures (>500 °C). The resulting methane is used as fuel for gas turbines and can also serve as feedstock in the chemical industry. The simulations were conducted in ASPEN HYSYS and yielded overall system efficiencies exceeding 29% and roundtrip efficiencies of 44%. Through techno-economic optimisation of the reaction conditions, competitive levelized fuel costs (LCOF) of €172/MWh and future LCOE values of €145/MWh were achieved. These findings present an innovative strategy for integrating gas turbine cycles and additional conversion pathways for green methanol.