Project description: The project would aim to develop methanol (as bio-energy carrier) production from biomass, including a variety of sources. In a first step syngas will be obtained by gasification and in a second step methanol will be produced. The project will cover a variety of feedstocks (from lignocellulosic crops to urban waste). Methanol production will be made in a membrane reactor, which will allow higher conversion and lower operating pressure than a conventional reactor, making the process suitable for a decentraliced production. Pilot scale testing will be made as part of the project.

Partner sought:
Engineering company with capacity to design a methanol plant or a supplier of methanol plants. We are seeking for SMEs or Large Companies with expertise in the field of designing or building of methanol plants. The requested partner should be able to provide with the design of a methanol pilot plant or a turnkey pilot plant adapted to the characteristics of a membrane methanol reactor able to operate with larger conversion than conventional reactors at a low-rate operating pressure. While other partners will provide with the design of a gasification plant and also the development of membranes suitable for such membrane reactor, the requested company will design a flexible plant to acommodate with a variable composition of syngas and different operating conditions in the membrane reactor. Other roles of the company can be proposed.