Conceptual Model for Renewable Energy Integration in Industrial Chemical Engineering Processes
Abstract
This paper introduces a conceptual model for integrating renewable energy systems into industrial chemical engineering processes to enhance energy efficiency, minimize carbon emissions, and promote sustainable production. The model addresses the increasing global demand for cleaner industrial operations by linking process engineering principles with renewable energy technologies such as solar thermal, biomass, wind, and hydrogen-based systems. It establishes a systematic framework that aligns energy generation, storage, and consumption with process heat and power requirements while maintaining thermodynamic and mass balance integrity. The approach is designed to optimize energy flows, reduce fossil fuel dependency, and improve overall process sustainability without compromising product quality or safety. The conceptual model incorporates a hybrid configuration that integrates process simulation, exergy analysis, and optimization algorithms. It assesses the energy-intensity profile of key unit operations distillation, reaction, separation, and drying to identify potential renewable energy substitution points. A multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework is applied to evaluate trade-offs between energy availability, cost, environmental impact, and reliability. The integration strategy includes dynamic modeling of intermittent energy inputs and storage systems, ensuring continuous operation under fluctuating renewable energy supply. Additionally, the model employs predictive control to harmonize process demand with real-time renewable generation, supported by life cycle and techno-economic assessments. Case applications demonstrate how renewable integration can be achieved through solar-assisted reboilers, biomass gasification for process heating, and hydrogen-based power-to-heat loops. The model’s modularity allows adaptation across various chemical industries, including petrochemical, fertilizer, and pharmaceutical production. It also considers the retrofitting of existing plants, addressing challenges of system compatibility, economic feasibility, and regulatory compliance. Results from simulation-based evaluations indicate significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, improved exergy efficiency, and enhanced process resilience. The proposed conceptual model provides a pathway for the chemical industry’s transition to low-carbon manufacturing. It emphasizes the synergistic integration of renewable energy technologies within process engineering, contributing to global sustainability goals and industrial decarbonization initiatives.
How to Cite This Article
Augustine Tochukwu Ekechi (2024). Conceptual Model for Renewable Energy Integration in Industrial Chemical Engineering Processes . International Journal of Future Engineering Innovations (IJFEI), 1(6), 68-89. DOI: https://doi.org/10.54660/IJFEI.2024.1.2.68-89