Provider of advanced technology and solutions for the energy transition Topsoe is to license its advanced SynCOR technology to Sandpiper Chemicals for the production of blue methanol.
The project, when operational, will produce 3,000t/day (MTPD) of blue methanol. Topsoe will license its technology that – when combined with carbon capture and storage (CCS) – enables the production of blue methanol.
Demand for methanol is seen to be increasing; the IEA estimates that methanol demand is expected to grow to 120-150m tons by 2030. Today, methanol is primarily used within the chemical industry, but growing demand is coming from the shipping industry as it looks to lower emissions.
Henrik Rasmussen, MD Topsoe Americas, said: “We believe that blue methanol is a proven way for industries, like maritime shipping to rapidly lower their emissions. SynCOR technology in combination with carbon capture and storage is a cost-effective route to produce blue methanol at industrial scale. Topsoe’s collaboration with Energy Allied International has been going strong for almost a decade, and we’re thrilled that they have chosen our technology for their first blue methanol project.”
Rod J Ragan, CEO Sandpiper Chemicals, added: “Our team has worked with Topsoe on several global projects. Given our history of successful collaboration, Sandpiper is pleased to have Topsoe as our technology provider once again. With its advantaged location on the US Gulf Coast, our project is well positioned to meet the needs of our customers, both domestically and internationally”.
Blue methanol is a critical component of the energy transition. Blue Methanol incorporates CCS technology to enable CO₂ sequestration, making it a lower carbon intensity alternative to grey methanol. Due to the chemical structure of the methanol molecule, the remaining CO₂ will eventually be emitted if used as a fuel.
SynCOR technology enables methanol production as well as cost efficient carbon capture. SynCOR is Topsoe´s proprietary technology based on advanced autothermal reforming principles.
Image: Topsoe’s technology will be used in the US to produce blue methanol as ship fuel (source: Topsoe)
