Process intensification of methane reforming through electrification of an integrated reactor for low-carbon methanol/biomethanol production

The project aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Quebec by developing a compact electrified methane reforming (eSMR) technology for distributed production of low-carbon methanol/biomethanol. This initiative focuses on utilizing a portion of the 300,000 tons of biogenic CO2 currently released into the atmosphere by renewable natural gas (RNG) plants. Producing blue methanol by combining this biogenic CO2 with renewable electricity can reduce the carbon intensity of gray methanol by 48%.

Furthermore, the same technology will be applied to convert landfill biogas, currently flared, into valuable methanol in regional facilities. The research objective is to design a TRL4-level eSMR reactor and operate it continuously for over 200 hours.

This project is a collaboration between the Université de Sherbrooke and industry partner Acton Énergies Inc., and it represents a significant step toward decarbonizing methanol production while leveraging renewable resources and addressing environmental challenges in Quebec.