Integrated Phosgene and Steel Production: Combining Process Optimization and Life Cycle Assessment to Minimize Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Chemie Ingenieur Technik, vol. 96, pp. 1256–1267

Abstract

Abstract Harnessing basic oxygen furnace gas (BOFG) from steel mills as an alternative carbon source is a promising option to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study explores two process concepts to purify CO from BOFG for subsequent phosgene synthesis: (i) vacuum pressure swing adsorption (VPSA) yielding pure CO, and (ii) CO2 separation via monoethanolamine (MEA) absorption producing CO‐enriched gas. By combining process optimization with life cycle assessment (LCA), process parameters are identified that minimize GHG emissions. The MEA concept can reduce emissions by up to 60 %, whereas the VPSA concept achieves a reduction of 47 %. Utilizing renewable energy enables further reductions, indicating additional environmental benefits in the future. Overall, both processes effectively produce low‐carbon CO for phosgene synthesis, with increasing environmental benefits in future energy systems.

Authors 6

1. Stefan Eichwald Aachen Institute of Technical Thermodynamics

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Technical Thermodynamics RWTH Aachen University Schinkelstr. 8 52062 Aachen Germany

   Institute of Technical Thermodynamics, RWTH Aachen University, Schinkelstr. 8, 52062 Aachen, Germany

   These authors contributed equally to this work

2. Lukas Polte Aachen Fluid Process Engineering (AVT.FVT)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Fluid Process Engineering (AVT.FVT) RWTH Aachen University Forckenbeckstr. 51 52074 Aachen Germany

   Fluid Process Engineering (AVT.FVT), RWTH Aachen University, Forckenbeckstr. 51, 52074 Aachen, Germany

   These authors contributed equally to this work

3. Janik Hense Aachen Fluid Process Engineering (AVT.FVT)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Fluid Process Engineering (AVT.FVT) RWTH Aachen University Forckenbeckstr. 51 52074 Aachen Germany

   Fluid Process Engineering (AVT.FVT), RWTH Aachen University, Forckenbeckstr. 51, 52074 Aachen, Germany

4. Benedikt Nilges Aachen Institute of Technical Thermodynamics

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Technical Thermodynamics RWTH Aachen University Schinkelstr. 8 52062 Aachen Germany

   Institute of Technical Thermodynamics, RWTH Aachen University, Schinkelstr. 8, 52062 Aachen, Germany

5. Andreas Jupke Aachen Fluid Process Engineering (AVT.FVT)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Fluid Process Engineering (AVT.FVT) RWTH Aachen University Forckenbeckstr. 51 52074 Aachen Germany

   Fluid Process Engineering (AVT.FVT), RWTH Aachen University, Forckenbeckstr. 51, 52074 Aachen, Germany

6. Niklas V. von der Assen corresponding Aachen Institute of Technical Thermodynamics

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Technical Thermodynamics RWTH Aachen University Schinkelstr. 8 52062 Aachen Germany

   Institute of Technical Thermodynamics, RWTH Aachen University, Schinkelstr. 8, 52062 Aachen, Germany