Catalytic synthesis of methanol/DME via black liquor gasification
Methanol and dimethyl ether (DME) are fuels that can be manufactured from synthesis gas. Synthesis gas can be produced from a variety of raw materials e.g. via gasification of black liquor.
Black liquor is a side stream in the pulp mill which contains cooking chemicals and biomass in the form of wood residues. Gasification of black liquor takes place in Piteå where Chemrec has a plant which produces synthesis gas. Synthesis gas from Chemrec will be used in the project to in demonstration scale show that methanol synthesis is possible via black liquor gasification. The demonstration plant is situated at Solander Science Park in Piteå. The aim of the project is to build competence in methanol/ DME synthesis in Sweden.
The project is a co-operation between LTU, Energiteknisktcentrum (ETC) and Chemrec and is financed by Energimyndigheten. Methanol is formed from carbon oxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen using a copper/ zinc oxide catalyst. The synthesis gas from Chemrec contains beside these three gases also hydrogen sulphide, methane and small amounts of contaminations. To prevent deactivation of the sensitive methanol catalyst the gas must be cleaned before entering the methanol reactor. To design a suitable cleaning system a characterisation of the synthesis gas will be performed to determine the presence of unwanted elements and particles. Different cleaning techniques to remove sulphur and tars will be tested before production of methanol / DME can be shown. The process will then be operated by introducing new techniques to increase the yield of methanol.
Updated: