This project aims to develop, design, and demonstrate a novel process for converting raw biogas into green methanol through an integrated reforming and methanol synthesis platform.
Biogas, consisting mainly of methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂), is typically used for heat and power, but this application has limited value and continues to emit CO₂. this project addresses this by applying a combination of dry and steam reforming—termed bio-reforming—to convert biogas into syngas (CO and H₂), followed by catalytic methanol synthesis.
The technology employs an electrified reformer furnace capable of delivering heat up to 1000 °C and a compact boiling-water methanol reactor that ensures efficient heat transfer and high catalytic performance.
The modular containerized design allows small- and medium-scale biogas plants, often in remote or decentralized locations, to be retrofitted with green methanol production units. Demonstration at Lemvig Biogas showed successful long-term operation (>500 h), achieving >99% CH₄ conversion, up to 78% CO₂ conversion, and methanol purity above 80%.
The results establish a scalable and commercially viable pathway for producing renewable methanol as a sustainable fuel and chemical feedstock.
Main supervisor:
Philip Loldrup Fosbøl