Techno-economic analysis and comparison of coal-based chemical technologies with consideration of water resources scarcity

Existing techno-economic analyses of modern coal chemical technologies (MCCTs) neglect water constraints, which may underestimate the production cost MCCTs and thus mislead investment activities. Considering this background, study incorporated scarcity indirect into a classic evaluation model MCCT. Using model, our work evaluated compared indicators with latest data for four typical MCCTs, including coal-to-liquids (CTL), synthetic natural gas (SNG), coal-to-olefin (CTO), coal-to-ethylene glycol (CTEG). The results demonstrate following: 1) costs CTL, SNG, CTO, CTEG are 5185 CNY/t, 2653 CNY/kNm3, 5918 4055 respectively. Under current prices oil-related products, in SNG would be risky, CTL should considered cautiously, CTO could lead to profit. 2) market price resources, does not consider constraint underestimated by at most 12.4% 10.6% 27.5% 32.4% CTEG. sensitivity some key parameters recommendations considering profitability, capital investment, material consumption, CO2 emissions also discussed provided.