Modeling an‎d optimization of methanol production from sewege sludge digestate gasificaton

10/14/2026 12:00:00 AM

Utilization of sewage sludges for production of methanol can serve as a novel, integral concept to simultaneously provide waste reduction treatment, sustainable fuel production an‎d freshwater supply in water-limited areas. In this work, we demonstrate that, by using advanced physics-informed neural network (PINN) approach, calling for simultaneous tractability with possible superior prediction accuracy, the complex processes of sludge-to-methanol conversion are modeled with empirical information aggregated with the deep understan‎ding of physical laws. The proposed system integrates plasma gasification, methanol synthesis an‎d multi-effect distillation (MED) ciężsalination in a synergistic way, an‎d a detailed 4E analysis (energy, exergy, economic an‎d environmental) is incorporated into the system to holistically eva‎luate system viability. A bi-objective weighting scheme based on a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm for distribution (MOEA/D) algorithm is applied to maximize of the exergy efficiency an‎d minimize the payback period, to improve the technical feasibility an‎d economic feasibility. A new computational framework connects Aspen Plus an‎d Matlab, during which high-fidelity simulation data is used to train PINN models that surpass typical approaches by the outperformance of their accuracy an‎d overall generalization capabilities. In a case study done in Ban‎dar Lengeh, Iran, some encouraging results were obtained indicated that an exergy efficiency of 66% can be reached with reduction of GHG emissions of about 60% (around 2000 tonnes per year), with sales-able by-products an‎d competitive methanol production cost of USD 220 per tonne, an‎d daily freshwater production of 30 cu. m. This multi-pronged approach turns an environmental problem into a lucrative opportunity, offering a scalable, sustainable, an‎d sustainable solution an‎d approach to waste management, clean energy generation an‎d water security suitable for coastal areas everywhere on the planet.

توليد متانول , گازساز پلاسما , آب شيرين كن حرارتي , شبكه عصبي فيزيك آگاه , بهينه سازي مبتني بر تجزيه

Methanol production , Plasma gasification , Thermal desalination , Physics informed neural network , MOEA/D

Mohammad Abolfathi

Sepehr Sanaye