Optimization of Synthesis Gas Production Process using Recycled Carbon Dioxide

In this paper, an integrated optimization strategy for the design of industrial synthesis gas production process is presented. The aim is to determine the cost optimal synthesis gas process network considering the connection between existing plant and various alternatives using carbon dioxide as a raw material available in a chemical plant. The approach is based on the integrated superstructure optimization that assists the formulation of the cost optimal design problem such a way that a mixed integer programming can be derived. The mathematical programming which has flexibility of selecting different synthesis gas reaction processes is used to generate the optimal configuration of the process. The industrial synthesis gas plant case studies have been applied to present the approach. With the optimum configuration the annualized profit increased 17% from the base case to the optimal structure. And three other extensions to the optimal design were evaluated for the case studies.