Economic feasibility study of a wood gasification-based methanol plant: a subcontract report

Original publisher: Golden, Colo.: Solar Energy Research Institute, [1987]. OCLC Number: (OCoLC)181760421 Subject: Methanol. Excerpt: ... I SECTION INTRODUCTION SUMMARY AND INTRODUCTION 1.1 & At the request of the Solar Energy Research Institute ( SERI ), Stone ( SWEC ) Webster Engineering Corporation has prepared an Economic Feasibility The Study for ~ asification Based Methanol Plant. objectives of this a to Feasibility Study are evaluate the current commercial potential of a small scale wood-fed methanol plant using the oxygen-blown, pressurized SERI down-draft gasifier technology and to identify areas in which further research and development are required. This report presents the results of this study, including site selection, gasifier scale-up, an integrated conceptual design, a capital cost estimate, an investment analysis, an analysis of alternative designs, and recommendations for future research and development. will be capable pro-( BMP ) of The full scale Biomass-Based Methanol Plant MM gal / yr of fuel grade methanol Table from green wood 7.68 1-1 ) ( see ducing area adjacent to Spokane, Washington, has been selected for the The chips. BMP The site of this study. uses Lurgi technology to convert the prepared to is synthesis gas methanol. It self-sufficient in steam production, and imports only one-third of its electrical needs. SERX, The technical information required for this study was obtained from published literature, conversations with various process and equipment suppliers, and in-house data. Dr. Tom supplied the data of Reed SERI SWEC concerning the gasifier. 1.2 SUMMARY of conversion via the Methanol is currently produced commercially worldwide synthesis gas derived from natural refinery petroleum, or gas, gas, off