Energy, economic and environmental assessment of photocatalytic methane production: A comparative case study between Japan and Malaysia

• Main Authors: Tanaka, Yudai, Hasanuzzaman, Md.
• Format: Article
• Published: KeAi Publishing Communications Ltd. 2022
• Subjects: TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering; TP Chemical technology
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/43812/; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloei.2022.04.016

Photocatalytic methane (CH4) production wherein CO2 is reduced to CH4 by utilizing solar radiation energy is gaining research and industrial focus because of its environmental-friendly notion. It offers twofold advantages: reduction in CO2 emission and production of artificial natural gas (methane) at the same time. In this paper, comparative energy, economic and environmental assessment of such photocatalytic methane production has been carried out between Japan and Malaysian conditions. Assumptions on the photocatalytic methane production plant and estimation of energy production, CO2 emission reduction, and economic indicators are made based on previous research and existing technologies. Energy analysis shows that Malaysia has a higher potential for energy production and CO2 emission reduction than Japan. Economic analysis reveals that the feasible reaction efficiencies of the plant in Japan and Malaysia are 8. The slightly higher conversion efficiency in Malaysia is due to the energy price and CO2 tax. For the implementation of the photocatalytic methane production plant, the high energy price and CO2 tax will work as a driving force. © 2022 Global Energy Interconnection Group Co. Ltd