Power to methanol project launched
Published by Callum O'Reilly,
Senior Editor
Hydrocarbon Engineering,
INEOS business INOVYN has announced its role in an ambitious ‘power to methanol’ project set up to further investigate options for sustainable methanol production at Antwerp, Belgium.
As part of a seven strong consortium, comprising leading industrial and business partners, INOVYN will contribute to a joint feasibility study for the production of methanol from captured carbon dioxide (CO2) and sustainably generated hydrogen.
Subject to the success of the study, an 8000 tpy industrial-scale demonstration plant would be built at INOVYN’s chemical manufacturing complex at Lillo. This would be the first of its kind for Belgium, with the methanol produced being used by chemical companies in the port of Antwerp cluster.
The carbon dioxide is captured by means of carbon capture and utilisation, through which CO2 emissions are partially recovered and then combined with hydrogen generated from renewable energy. For each tonne of methanol produced, at least 1 t of CO2 emissions would be avoided.
Comments Geir Tuft, CEO INOVYN, said: “This is a very exciting project and an excellent fit with our sustainability strategy, which includes pursuing options for alternative energy and the sustainable, lower carbon production of chemicals. Specifically, INOVYN will contribute its expertise in hydrogen production and electrolysis to the project, and has identified a suitable location for the proposed demonstration plant at our Lillo Site.”
In addition to INOVYN, other consortium members include ENGIE, Oiltanking, Indaver, Fluxys, the Flemish Environmental Holding Company (Vlaamse Milieu Holding) and Port of Antwerp.
Future development could see increased volumes of sustainable methanol produced for wider industry use, including as a sustainable fuel for marine and road transport.
Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/clean-fuels/11052020/power-to-methanol-project-launched/
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