Synthesis and Design of a Sustainable CO2 Utilization Network

In response to increasing regulations and concern about the impact of greenhouse gases on the environment, carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions are targeted for reduction. One method is the conversion of CO₂ to useful compounds via chemical reactions. However, conversion is still in its infancy and requires work for implementation at an industrial level. One aspect of this is the development of a methodology for the formulation and optimization of sustainable conversion processes. This methodology follows three stages for the process synthesis, design and more sustainable design. Using a superstructure-based approach a network of utilization alternatives is created linking CO₂ and other raw materials with various products using processing blocks. This will then be optimized and verified for sustainability. Detailed design has also been performed for a case study on the methanol synthesis processing block. CO₂ conversion processes show promise as an additional method for the sustainable reduction of CO₂ emissions.