Modeling of bio-methanol production from waste biomass using aspen plus® simulation via gasification process

Methanol is one of alternative fuels that can replace the utilization of the petroleum-based fuel especially in transportation sector as it can releases low emissions, shows high performance and low risk of flammability. The gasification processes with production capacity of 2000 tonnes/year using two different raw materials (Sewage sludge and Palm Oil Empty Fruit Bunch) were simulated in Aspen Plus®. The biomass was converted into the synthetic gas which contain the carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and methane gas. Process economics were analysed using Aspen Capital Cost Estimator. The gasification process using sewage sludge shows the lower capital investment with USD 2 124 871 and palm oil empty fruit bunch had the higher capital investment with USD 2 423 388. However, based on the comparison with other studies and other feedstock, the PEFB is more feasible to be used as the feedstock for the bio-methanol production because the methanol price is worth it with the methanol produced. The results also indicated that the sewage had the higher manufacturing cost with USD 390 279 626 while the palm oil empty fruit bunch has lower manufacturing cost with USD 32 146 122. Based on economic assessment, with the total production of 1781 tonnes/year and the price of methanol as much as USD 99 981 USD/tonnes, PEFB comes as the most profitable feedstock compared to the sewage sludge.