Methanol synthesis from simulated bio-syngas: Experimental and modeling studies

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PhD; 2023; Centre for sustainable technologies

Methanol is increasingly being considered as an alternative fuel due to its potential to reduce environmental pollution and its ability to be used directly in internal combustion engines without any engine modification. This study focuses on using biomass as a source for methanol synthesis. The use of biomass for methanol synthesis has two main advantages: it addresses the air pollution caused by biomass incineration, and it generates value-added chemicals from waste biomass. In this work, the suitability and profitability of producing methanol from biomass-derived syngas (bio-syngas) were investigated. Methanol is typically produced in industries by catalytic conversion of syngas obtained from the steam methane reforming process (SMR). However, syngas obtained from biomass gasification is a relatively newer route since this process generates syngas with lower H2 and higher CO2 content. The hydrogen content in biomass is only 5-7%, in comparison to the carbon value of 48-52%, making the choice of gasifying agent and gasifier design crucial as it determines the H2 percentage and tar content in the syngas.