Water management for Power-to-X offshore platforms: an underestimated item

Abstract

Increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in the atmosphere is considered one of the most important challenges today. Therefore, capturing CO2 and producing alternative energy sources through Power-to-X (PtX) approaches have become relevant scientific topics in recent years. However, there is a significant research gap regarding water management in PtX processes, particularly in offshore operations. The present study evaluates relevant aspects and possible challenges with respect to water management as well as mass and energy balances in conceptual offshore methane and methanol production platforms. The results show that 1600 m3 of seawater must be desalinated to supply the electrolyzer and reach a daily 50-Megagram (Mg) hydrogen production. Around 1100 m3 of brine coming out of the desalination plant may be discharged to the sea as long as prior environmental impact assessments are conducted. Additionally, 273 Mg and 364 Mg CO2 need to be generated daily by direct air capture to produce 99 Mg day−1 methane and 265 Mg day−1 methanol, respectively. The daily produced methane and methanol wastewater is estimated to be 223 and 149 m3, respectively. Based on the scant literature on methanol wastewater, this is expected to contain toxic substances. Zero liquid discharge (ZLD) is proposed as wastewater method. The corresponding energy demand for the water management facilities is projected to be negligible compared to the other PtX processes. The presented management of water streams in PtX platforms would not only help recover some of the resources (water, hydrogen and methanol), but also substantially contribute to the production cycle itself while leading toward a more sustainable approach.