| abstract |
An apparatus 10 for producing methanol from organic waste material, such as livestock waste, animal slurry, cellulose plant harvest waste, comprising an anaerobic digestion arrangement 20 for receiving the organic material and for anaerobically digesting the organic material in oxygen depleted conditions to generate methane gas and a chemical reaction arrangement 30 for reacting methane gas with water vapour and carbon dioxide in a stoichiometric condition between methane steam reforming and methane dry reforming to generate a synthesis gas for the production of methanol. The stoichiometric condition may be maintained using a control arrangement 50. Preferably a renewable energy source provides operating power to the chemical reaction arrangement. Ideally the chemical reaction arrangement comprises a catalyst arrangement including nickel, nickel-alumina, nickel foil, copper and/or platinum. A first stage for steam reforming in the chemical reaction arrangement may operate at a pressure of 10-30 bar and at a temperature of 750-950°C and a second stage of methanol synthesis may operate at a pressure of 50-150 bar and a temperature of 200-250°C. A method of using the apparatus is further claimed. Also claimed is a computer program product to execute the method. |