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Development of Biogas-Consuming Methanol Synthesis Unit

Thank you so much to HyGear for sponsoring us!

About Us

We are a group of Chemical Engineering undergrads tasked with project implementation for our capstone this website acts as our project portfolio to capture our hardwork.


Contributors

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Kyrstin Datanagan
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Linh Phan
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Sophia Vigil

Mentor
















About

In partnership with HyGear, we are developing a modular, containerized green methanol synthesis unit that utilizes hydrogen and CO₂ from biogas upgrading. The project explores two pathways: (1) using syngas (H₂, CO, and CO₂) produced from steam methane reforming (SMR), and (2) synthesizing methanol directly from biogenic CO₂ and electrolytic hydrogen. Along with optimizing the process to align with HyGear’s SMR unit, the study will also examine the broader potential for captured CO₂, including its use in industries like food and beverage, greenhouse agriculture, or long-term storage through geologic sequestration. With evolving policies such as 45Q tax credits and state-level carbon regulations, the goal is to identify the most viable approach—whether through green methanol production or alternative CO₂ utilization and storage strategies.















Sources Used

(1) Ebrahimzadeh Sarvestani, M.; Norouzi, O.; Di Maria, F.; Dutta, A. From Catalyst Development to Reactor Design: A Comprehensive Review of Methanol Synthesis Techniques. Energy Conversion and Management 2024, 302 (4), 118070. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2024.118070.

(2) Portha, J.-F.; Parkhomenko, K.; Kobl, K.; Roger, A.-C.; Arab, S.; Commenge, J.-M.; Falk, L. Kinetics of Methanol Synthesis from Carbon Dioxide Hydrogenation over Copper–Zinc Oxide Catalysts. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 2017, 56 (45), 13133–13145. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.iecr.7b01323.

(3) Shi, C. Process Simulation of Methanol Production from Water Electrolysis and Tri-Reforming. Master’s Thesis, University of Calgary, 2020, pp 1–96. https://ucalgary.scholaris.ca/server/api/core/bitstreams/954d122e-74b6-4506-a5d1-f32c5d8ef207/content (accessed 2025-04-25).