R3 Sciences Produces Methanol from Natural Gas
(PRWEB) November 18, 2013 -- Researchers in Lafayette, Louisiana with R3 Sciences, a division of Enersciences Holdings, LLC, an Austin, Texas-based company, have successfully produced commercial grade methanol in a continuous flow pilot system using a new, novel liquid, homogenous catalytic process. Advancements in homogenous catalysis developed by researchers at R3 Sciences will allow for the production of commercial grade methanol from air-derived synthesis gas with only trace levels of catalyst residual. The unique catalyst can be safely prepared from inexpensive components, is easily transportable and requires no pre-treatment before use. The catalyst can also be recycled or reactivated for reuse.
Typical methanol production involves the use of solid, heterogenous catalyst process at high temperatures and high pressures. R3 Sciences process operates at low temperature and low pressure, with high single-pass conversion. The continuous flow gas to methanol reaction does not produce any water and avoids the need for post-production distillation of the product. The overall simplicity in the process design coupled with a low cost, onsite catalyst replenishment without operational interruption makes R3 Sciences cost of production one of the lowest available.
R3 Sciences distributed production model is a departure from the manner in which methanol is produced throughout the world. The transportable, modular approach will allow operators to bring the process to the source of natural gas, opening up avenues to commercialize stranded and flared natural gas. The methanol produced can also provide a low-cost technology start for other multi-step GTL processes for DME, gasoline, jet and diesel fuel.
R3 Sciences plans to commercialize the process in 2014 and is also pursuing a business model that includes licensing the technology and the catalyst to strategic partners, along with building and operating production systems with strategic partners. R3 Sciences currently operates a research and development laboratory based in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Ben Davis, EnerSciences, http://www.enersciences.com, 512-505-4101, [email protected]
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