A comprehensive mapping of available biogenic CO2 sources (biogas, biomass combustion, bioethanol, pulp & paper mills and the food and beverage industry) across Europe has been conducted to assess their suitability for methanol synthesis. Crucially, the impurity levels of such bio-CO2 streams were assessed through measurement campaigns at relevant industrial sites to identify potential methanol catalyst poisons.
An existing pilot plant at the Air Liquide Innovation Campus in Frankfurt, Germany, has successfully demonstrated the reliable conversion of CO2 and H2 to methanol. The testing focused on dynamic operation, essential for large-scale production due to potentially fluctuating H2 and CO2 availability. The pilot plant was extended with a recycle of the unreacted gas to improve the process efficiency. The first crude methanol produced was used for laboratory-scale distillation tests to optimize the purification into Maritime Methanol grade fuel. Meanwhile a pilot distillation unit now being installed. Future marine engine tests will con-firm the feasibility of Maritime Methanol as a decarbonized fuel.
To further reduce costs and increase flexibility in Maritime Methanol production, an im-proved methanol process is being developed utilizing a novel reactor system based on process intensification. Extensive modeling has been performed to thoroughly investigate this new process, and the reactor will be tested using both mock-ups as well as on a pilot scale.
Evaluating and comparing the process studied and developed in the frame of the project re-quires a holistic view on the entire value chain. Therefore, models with different level of de-tails are developed and further under development to represent and optimize (following a hierarchical optimization concept through different time horizons) the individual units in the value chain and the value chain in its entirety. Detailed analyses of the value chain have been carried out highlighting industrial relevance and capacity restrictions of the value chain, main limiting factors and potential solutions for addressing them.
The results and knowledge generated by M²ARE are disseminated to the public through scientific journals, conferences, social media and the project website (www.M2ARE.eu). A visual identity and information material has been created to promote the project and raise awareness of decarbonisation in the shipping industry.
The project partners and the Advisory Board (Clariant, Metsä Group, the Port of Rotterdam, and A.P. Møller Maersk A/S) engage in frequent and fruitful exchanges, as highlighted in the project status meetings held in Frankfurt, Thessaloniki, Florence, and Delft. The consortium is dedicated to delivering new solutions to achieve ambitious economic and environmental targets for using Maritime Methanol to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the shipping industry.
