Development, techno-economic analysis, and life cycle assessment of a novel CO2 utilization method for polyethylene production

The purpose of the project is to manufacture low- and high- density polyethylene from CO2. These products are the result of an energy-intensive process, steam cracking. This process is known for its high CO2 emissions, and this is something that the whole world is trying to reduce, because of its global warming impacts. Therefore, CO2 will be captured from flue gas, and added to hydrogen, which will be produced via the electrolysis of water. These compounds undergo a reaction known as reverse water-gas shift, and produce CO and water. Adding H2 to CO forms syngas, which will then be converted to ethane. Ethane will then in turn be converted to ethylene via a process known as chemical looping oxidative dehydrogenation. From there LDPE and HDPE can be produced. It is expected that such a process will emit less CO2 than steam cracking, and even have negative CO2 emissions
in areas where renewable electricity is used.

Faculty Supervisor:

Yaser Khojasteh-Salkuyeh

Student:

Partner:

Université Catholique de Louvain

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Education

University:

Concordia University

Program: