Lurgi PowerMethanol™

The integrated solution for low-carbon and e-Methanol production from CO₂ and H₂.

Air Liquide's Lurgi PowerMethanol™ is a fully integrated solution producing CO₂-based e-Methanol. It combines carbon capture (Cryocap™), water electrolysis, and Lurgi™ methanol technology for a versatile energy carrier.

How does Lurgi PowerMethanol™ technology work?

Lurgi PowerMethanol™ technology is an integrated process that efficiently converts captured carbon dioxide and H₂ into low-carbon Methanol for sustainable fuels.

Upstream of the actual methanol synthesis, a front-end consisting of a compression, buffering and purification system serves to provide the educts at the right quality to the synthesis.

The Methanol synthesis itself uses the process design of the standard Lurgi^TM Methanol technology, optimized for CO₂-rich synthesis gases as they have been experienced in several past projects.

The distillation is similar to the Lurgi^TM Methanol technology, with a special emphasis on integration of unconventional internal and external heat sources in order to minimize the energy demand of the methanol plant and the associated carbon footprint.

Clients benefit from Air Liquide's unique perspective as an owner and operator of industrial-scale assets, ensuring cost-efficient production, high availability, and best-in-class performance.

Key advantages and performance data

Maximized conversion: Achieves up to 99% H₂conversion within the synthesis loop.
Deep decarbonization: Delivers up to 99% CO₂ emission reduction compared to conventional Methanol production.
Feedstock versatility: Efficiently processes CO₂- and H₂-rich streams derived from water electrolysis, CO₂ capture, industrial processes, biogas plants, bioethanol plants, and many more
Flexible operation for leveraging fluctuating feed gas supply, yet maintaining stable operating conditions inside the synthesis loop through a robust process design
Extensive CO₂ and H₂ purification and handling capabilities from Air Liquide’s industrial activities
Extensive track record: Built on over 25 years of expertise in CO₂-to-methanol conversion, with 40 Lurgi^TM Methanol plants successfully put into operation worldwide.
Minimized interfaces: A one-stop solution providing technology license, engineering, procurement, and operations support under a single, comprehensive set of process guarantees.

Dynamic operation for leveraging renewable energy

The transition to e-Methanol requires adapting to fluctuating energy sources. Our proven Lurgi^TM Methanol Synthesis technology features an intelligent feedstock buffering system designed specifically to handle fluctuating power, H₂, and CO₂ availability. Coupled with predictive advanced process control, it minimizes load variations, unlocking hourly matching and capitalizing on power market opportunities while maintaining maximum plant uptime.

A fully integrated value chain

Lurgi PowerMethanol™ leverages synergies across Air Liquide’s world-class portfolio. From cutting-edge Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) water electrolysis for green hydrogen to Cryocap™ for efficient carbon capture and gas separation, every step is optimized. This streamlined configuration reduces the total cost of ownership and provides unmatched operational robustness from feedstock management to final methanol distillation.