CLIMATE CHALLENGE - Isis Innovation

Biomass to Methanol ProcessIsis Project Number 3680A catalytic process to convert glycerol, the main by-product of biodiesel production, into methanol.The new method is clean and operates at low temperature and pressure. Methanol has application asa fuel and an industrial chemical.The Oxford inventionToday around 90% of methanol is produced from fossil fuelvia the synthesis gas reaction. Methanol is in demand asan industrial chemical and as a fuel for internal combustionengines and fuel cells. For methanol to become a truly greenfuel, an alternative production method that does not rely onfossil fuels is needed. In nature, microorganisms producemethanol from biomass through fermentation, but theprocess is too slow for industrial scale production.Glycerol (by-product)Biodiesel & vegetableoil manufactureHydrogenLow TLow PMethanolMainproductFuel andindustrial useThe Oxford invention produces methanol as an exclusiveproduct from glycerol in a catalytic process that is:EfficientDirectLow temperature CleanLow pressureThe new process takes glycerol, a largely unwantedby-product, and converts it directly and cleanly to methanol,a highly useful industrial chemical and green fuel.Marketing opportunityGlycerol is the major by-product in biodiesel and oleochemicalproduction. For every 9kg of vegetable oil processed, 1kg ofglycerol is produced. Although glycerol is used in foods andpersonal care products, there is no large-scale industrialdemand; indeed around 350,000 tonnes are incinerated inthe US each year. Conversion processes for glycerol havefocused on reforming to synthesis gas, oxidation, dehydration,hydrogenolysis and polymerization. Until now there has beenno viable commercial process for glycerol’s direct conversionto methanol. The Oxford invention offers an opportunityfor companies in the biodiesel and oleochemicals sector todevelop this catalytic process to extract a valuable productfrom a waste material.Patent statusThis work is the subject of a patent application, and Isiswould like to talk to companies interested in its commercialdevelopment. Please contact the Isis Project Manager todiscuss this further.For methanol to become a truly green fuel, analternative production method that does not rely onfossil fuels is neededcontactDr Jamie FergusonProject Manager, Technology Transfer GroupT 01865 280851E jamie.ferguson@isis.ox.ac.ukW www.isis-innovation.com14