Methanol from Wood I. Process Principles and Technologies for Producing Methanol from Biomass

A review is presented on the various process routes and reactor types available for producing methanol from biomass via synthesis gas. Advantages and disadvantages of the various gasifiers and gasification process routes are briefly discussed. The commerically most successful methanol from synthesis gas processes are discussed as well because the characteristics of the downstream methanol synthesis process dictate the optimal composition of the synthesis gas to be produced by the upstream gasification process, the optimal operating pressure and the specifications for the intermediate synthesis gas treatment section.