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Integrated design for ethylene glycol production based on plasma gasification and water electrolysis: Thermodynamic and economic analysis

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  • Yu, Hongnan
  • Chen, Heng
  • Yu, Liangchen
  • Liu, Zhan
  • Xu, Gang
  • Zhang, Junjiao

Abstract

For efficient conversion of municipal solid waste (MSW) into ethylene glycol, a novel hybrid system integrating plasma gasification, alkaline water electrolysis, and multi-stage chemical synthesis is developed and evaluated. In the system, MSW is gasified to produce syngas, which is combined with hydrogen from electrolysis and converted into ethylene glycol through a sequence of chemical reactions. The process was modeled using Aspen Plus, and its performance was assessed from energy, exergy, and economic perspectives. Results show that the energy and exergy efficiencies reach 67.57 % and 62.56 %, respectively. The system requires a capital investment of 24,715.03 kUSD, with a discounted payback period of 3.73 years, a net present value of 203,738.93 kUSD over a 20-year project lifetime, and a levelized cost of ethylene glycol estimated at 0.203 USD/kg, confirming its overall economic viability. The integrated approach demonstrates both thermodynamic and economic advantages, highlighting its potential as a scalable solution for sustainable waste-to-chemical energy conversion.

Suggested Citation

  • Yu, Hongnan & Chen, Heng & Yu, Liangchen & Liu, Zhan & Xu, Gang & Zhang, Junjiao, 2025. "Integrated design for ethylene glycol production based on plasma gasification and water electrolysis: Thermodynamic and economic analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 335(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:335:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225036679
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.138025
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