Waste to Fuel: Green Methanol Production from Waste

This project focuses on the production of green methanol from untreated PET waste. The process integrates gasification, electrolysis, and methanol synthesis. The objective is to convert plastic waste into a valuable and sustainable chemical product while minimizing environmental impact. In the first stage, PET is prepared and reacted with steam in gasification reactor to produce synthesis gas consisting primarily of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. A separation system removes inserts and unreacted materials, while recycle loops are used to improve overall efficiency and conversion. The hydrogen is produced through the electrolysis of deionized water, where oxygen is separated and hydrogen is directed to a mixer. The hydrogen is then combined with the syngas from gasification to achieve the proper composition for methanol synthesis. This mixture is fed into a reactor where carbon monoxide and hydrogen react to form methanol, with unreacted gases recycled back into the system. The methanol product is purified in the gas phase and condensed into a liquid for storage. This process route was selected due to its simplicity, effective use of recycle streams, and reduction of harmful byproduct formation. By utilizing waste PET and renewable hydrogen, this design supports a more sustainable and energy efficient approach to methanol production.