Most sources of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) such as Landfill Gas (LFG), digester gas, and syngas from gasification or pyrolysis processes contain significant quantities of CO2. The CO2 must be removed from the gas stream in order to increase the calorific value of the RNG and to allow the RNG to be used as a transportation fuel. Even if cost effective CO2 separation methods are available, it is highly unlikely that RNG will be competitive with fossil CNG or petroleum based fuels in the open marketplace for transportation fuels. This is due to the loss of a major portion of the carbon from the feedstock in the form of CO2. Converting the CO2 into a co-product with commercial value can help improve the commercial viability of RNG production projects. This study explores the feasibility of CO2 conversion to co-products including methanol, dimethyl ether, and carbonates. Direct methanol synthesis experiments were carried out over a CuZnO based catalyst supported over Al2O3 at temperatures varied from 200-300 C and 217 psig and with a WHGV of 48000 cm3h-1gcat-1. The experimental results along with modeling analysis will be discussed in an RNG production context.

CO2-based chemicals in a renewable natural gas context

251st National Meeting (2016)

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