ForestMethanol

Purpose and goal

The consortium´s primary goal was to demonstrate the value chain that begins with methanol production in a sulphate mill and through a purification process to become useful for external use as an input chemical. In order to realize the value chain, a robust process with high availability is needed to ensure the withdrawal of renewable methanol from the mill. A sub objective was to reduce the nitrogen content in the methanol to avoid NOx emissions, which is a problem area for many Swedish mills.

Expected results and effects

The project has developed new technology, designed and constructed a pilot for the purpose and demonstrated methanol purification for almost 1,000 hours of continuous operation. The nitrogen content of the produced methanol was reduced by 99%, which significantly reduces NOx emissions from a mill. The robust operation and promising results of the process with regard to the reduction of nitrogen content in the isolated methanol have attracted a great deal of interest from kraft mills. Valmet has therefore developed a basis for a full scale plant, which is today offered to the market.

Planned approach and implementation

The initial work consisted of projecting for the pilot plant which also included an extensive security review, both within the project group and with an external part. All operators were undergoing training regarding the operation and safety of the methanol pilot before the monotoring could be transferred. The training was designed and held by staff from Valmet, Processum and Metsä Board. The first continuous test was followed by two longer tests a´360 hours where different operating parameters were evaluated and analysis samples were taken continuously to ensure results over time.