SUPER METHANOL

Reforming of Crude Glycerine in Supercritical Water to Produce Methanol for Re-Use in Biodiesel Plants

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Biodiesel is produced by transesterification of vegetable oils with methanol. Glycerine is a major by-product of the transesterification process. Due to the rapid increase in biodiesel production capacity in Europe also the amount of glycerine has increased rapidly. The overall project objective is to produce methanol from crude glycerine, and re-use the methanol in the biodiesel plant. This project aims to improve the energy balance, carbon performance, sustainability and overall economics of biodiesel production. The work expands on expertise generated by the consortium on reforming of glycerine in supercritical water, and to produce a synthesis gas suitable for direct once-through methanol synthesis (GtM - Glycerine to Methanol). Producers will be less dependent on the methanol spot price, there is a (partial) security of methanol supply, and their by-product is used as a green, sustainable feedstock. Further development of the GtM technology should result in an economically viable process at the scale of the biodiesel plant (3,000-10,000 t glycerine/y). There are 2 secondary objectives. Firstly: To demonstrate the complete GtM process on laboratory and pilot plant scale. Specific targets are to achieve glycerine conversions >90%, and to produce a syngas with H2/CO > 1. The overall target is a yield of 50 wt% methanol from glycerine (energy efficiency > 70%). Secondly, to prepare a detailed design for a full-scale methanol production facility integrated in a biodiesel production plant, and establish production costs for the super methanol. Target is to produce methanol at a price below 250 EUR/tonne. The project involves 2 SME’s in the field of thermo-chemical processes, 2 industrial companies in the field of biodiesel production and high-pressure technologies, and 3 academic partners highly skilled in catalysts development, thermodynamics and process modelling.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Using vegetable oils to produce liquid fuel for transport applications is nothing new. However, a novel process to convert a by-product into a raw material for reuse is definitely changing the playing field.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel produced by a chemical reaction that takes place between methanol and vegetable oils. This process produces glycerine as a by-product. Increasing biodiesel production has led to increased glycerine production, causing a market glut. On the other hand, methanol is a commodity whose supply and price can fluctuate based on a number of factors, including its increasing demand.

Scientists are devising ways to use the crude glycerine to produce more methanol (glycerine-to-methanol (GtM)) for biodiesel production, thus enhancing sustainability, the overall energy balance and reducing the carbon footprint. EU funding of the project 'Reforming of crude glycerine in supercritical water to produce methanol for re-use in biodiesel plants' (SUPER METHANOL) is supporting their work.

The team first constructed and tested laboratory-scale test rigs for three unit operations involving supercritical reforming of glycerine, raw synthesis gas upgrading and methanol synthesis. Following the success of their methanol synthesis experiments, investigators are now in the process of filing a patent. A number of catalysts required for the processes were also produced and tested. Experimental work was supplemented by process modelling covering both the three unit processes and the complete GtM approach.

A small-scale pilot plant has been constructed and is being used to investigate mass and energy system balances as well as to validate designs and uncover any potential gaps in the overall GtM design concept. Following optimisation, a full-scale GtM plant will be installed at an existing biodiesel plant in Spain. In addition to maximising glycerine reuse for methanol production, the team is investigating the new applications and uses for glycerine to further maximise utility.

Dissemination of results was achieved through six meetings and dissimination and exploitation plans were prepared. A recent publication appeared in "Biodiesel; Feedstocks , Production and Applications" journal entitled "Methanol Production from Glyerol" (http://www.intechopen.com/books/biodiesel-feedstocks-production-and-applications/biomethanol-from-glycerol).

SUPER METHANOL results promise to make biodiesel production more sustainable. Moreover, manufacturers will not be faced with a glut of glycerine, which is already in the oversupply. SUPER METHANOL outcomes are thus expected to have an important impact on the competitiveness of biodiesel production for transport fuel.