Modeling and optimization of methanol production from Ghanaian biomass wastes using Aspen Plus
This study explores the possibility of producing methanol from Ghanaian agricultural waste biomass, such as rice husk, sawdust, and cocoa pod husk, by employing Aspen Plus simulation and response surface methodology (RSM) as optimization methods. The process is modeled in Aspen Plus using...
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Academia.edu Journals
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Academia Green Energy |
| Online Access: | https://www.academia.edu/129066537/Modeling_and_optimization_of_methanol_production_from_Ghanaian_biomass_wastes_using_Aspen_Plus |
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| author | Marcellanous Baffour Kwakye Ellonye Herbert Fiifi Ansah Prosper Abewini Atuase Clement Akornor Ezekiel Sam |
| author_facet | Marcellanous Baffour Kwakye Ellonye Herbert Fiifi Ansah Prosper Abewini Atuase Clement Akornor Ezekiel Sam |
| author_sort | Marcellanous Baffour Kwakye Ellonye |
| collection | DOAJ |
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This study explores the possibility of producing methanol from Ghanaian agricultural waste biomass, such as rice husk, sawdust, and cocoa pod husk, by employing Aspen Plus simulation and response surface methodology (RSM) as optimization methods. The process is modeled in Aspen Plus using the RPlug reactor model to simulate the reaction kinetics and optimize production factors. Among these, the major factors investigated included the steam-to-biomass ratio (SBR), the gasification temperature, and the reactor temperature for the purpose of optimizing methanol production through response surface methodology. According to this study, the ideal process parameters of SBR at 0.6039, gasification temperature set to 1000 °C, and reactor temperature maintained at 296.97 °C result in a methanol rate of 14,731 kg/h, corresponding to 78% yield. The simulation was validated against experimental data, revealing its high accuracy, with an R² value of 91.53%, and affirming the practical viability of the model. The economic assessment showed methanol production costs reaching USD 200 per tonne, whereas import prices remained at USD 850 per tonne, which demonstrates the clear financial benefits of local production. The proposed production method generates annual net profits of USD 2.23 million and establishes an investment return of 30%. This study demonstrates that agricultural waste can serve as an eco-friendly methanol production material while helping Ghana improve waste management and achieve energy independence and environmental sustainability. These discoveries lay the groundwork for large-scale methanol production in Ghana, utilizing local biomass resources to enhance the country’s renewable energy strategy, decrease its reliance on imported fuels, and support a circular economy. However, there are still challenges, like fluctuations in biomass characteristics, the high energy consumption of the gasification process, and the integration of a cost-effective catalyst in the methanol reactor. Exploring catalytic enhancements and integrating optimization strategies in future work could further enhance process efficiency. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-62d27ef5fa004497b3e694f6d59dfbe1 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2998-3665 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Academia.edu Journals |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Academia Green Energy |
| spelling | doaj-art-62d27ef5fa004497b3e694f6d59dfbe12025-08-20T03:25:25ZengAcademia.edu JournalsAcademia Green Energy2998-36652025-04-012210.20935/AcadEnergy7649Modeling and optimization of methanol production from Ghanaian biomass wastes using Aspen PlusMarcellanous Baffour Kwakye Ellonye0Herbert Fiifi Ansah1Prosper Abewini Atuase2Clement Akornor3Ezekiel Sam4Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, KNUST, Kumasi AO-K448-7138, Ghana.Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, KNUST, Kumasi AO-K448-7138, Ghana.Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, KNUST, Kumasi AO-K448-7138, Ghana.Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, KNUST, Kumasi AO-K448-7138, Ghana.Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, KNUST, Kumasi AO-K448-7138, Ghana. This study explores the possibility of producing methanol from Ghanaian agricultural waste biomass, such as rice husk, sawdust, and cocoa pod husk, by employing Aspen Plus simulation and response surface methodology (RSM) as optimization methods. The process is modeled in Aspen Plus using the RPlug reactor model to simulate the reaction kinetics and optimize production factors. Among these, the major factors investigated included the steam-to-biomass ratio (SBR), the gasification temperature, and the reactor temperature for the purpose of optimizing methanol production through response surface methodology. According to this study, the ideal process parameters of SBR at 0.6039, gasification temperature set to 1000 °C, and reactor temperature maintained at 296.97 °C result in a methanol rate of 14,731 kg/h, corresponding to 78% yield. The simulation was validated against experimental data, revealing its high accuracy, with an R² value of 91.53%, and affirming the practical viability of the model. The economic assessment showed methanol production costs reaching USD 200 per tonne, whereas import prices remained at USD 850 per tonne, which demonstrates the clear financial benefits of local production. The proposed production method generates annual net profits of USD 2.23 million and establishes an investment return of 30%. This study demonstrates that agricultural waste can serve as an eco-friendly methanol production material while helping Ghana improve waste management and achieve energy independence and environmental sustainability. These discoveries lay the groundwork for large-scale methanol production in Ghana, utilizing local biomass resources to enhance the country’s renewable energy strategy, decrease its reliance on imported fuels, and support a circular economy. However, there are still challenges, like fluctuations in biomass characteristics, the high energy consumption of the gasification process, and the integration of a cost-effective catalyst in the methanol reactor. Exploring catalytic enhancements and integrating optimization strategies in future work could further enhance process efficiency.https://www.academia.edu/129066537/Modeling_and_optimization_of_methanol_production_from_Ghanaian_biomass_wastes_using_Aspen_Plus |
| spellingShingle | Marcellanous Baffour Kwakye Ellonye Herbert Fiifi Ansah Prosper Abewini Atuase Clement Akornor Ezekiel Sam Modeling and optimization of methanol production from Ghanaian biomass wastes using Aspen Plus Academia Green Energy |
| title | Modeling and optimization of methanol production from Ghanaian biomass wastes using Aspen Plus |
| title_full | Modeling and optimization of methanol production from Ghanaian biomass wastes using Aspen Plus |
| title_fullStr | Modeling and optimization of methanol production from Ghanaian biomass wastes using Aspen Plus |
| title_full_unstemmed | Modeling and optimization of methanol production from Ghanaian biomass wastes using Aspen Plus |
| title_short | Modeling and optimization of methanol production from Ghanaian biomass wastes using Aspen Plus |
| title_sort | modeling and optimization of methanol production from ghanaian biomass wastes using aspen plus |
| url | https://www.academia.edu/129066537/Modeling_and_optimization_of_methanol_production_from_Ghanaian_biomass_wastes_using_Aspen_Plus |
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