Integrated Waste Conversion for Green Methanol Synthesis

The growing demand for sustainable fuel alternatives has driven interest in green methanol as a low-carbon energy carrier and chemical feedstock. This project evaluates multiple pathways for methanol production using renewable and waste-derived resources, with a focus on process feasibility, efficiency, and environmental impact. Two primary routes were investigated: electrochemical synthesis using hydrogen produced via water electrolysis combined with captured carbon dioxide, and thermochemical conversion of biomass through gasification followed by catalytic synthesis. Comprehensive material, energy, and work balances were performed for each pathway to assess system performance under realistic operating conditions. Key process variables, including temperature, pressure, and feedstock composition, were analyzed to determine their effects on conversion efficiency and product yield. The electrochemical route offers high selectivity and cleaner operation but is energy-intensive and dependent on renewable electricity availability. In contrast, the biomass route utilizes readily available waste streams but is limited by carbon efficiency and challenges associated with tar formation and feedstock variability. Results highlight trade-offs between sustainability, energy demand, and economic feasibility across the evaluated pathways. This study provides a comparative framework for optimizing green methanol production and supports the development of scalable, low-emission technologies for future energy systems.