The Technology Development Center of the Fundación Ciudad de la Energía (CIUDEN) and the Eurecat technology center have successfully completed the first phase of the project for the development of a pilot plant intended for the use of green hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide for the more efficient production of high-purity methanol.

The first phase, with a budget of €218.000, has been allocated to research and development of advanced chemical technologies, including the design and experimental validation of more efficient reactors and catalysts. The second phase, budgeted at €756.000, will now focus on the supply and commissioning of the pilot plant.

The initial R&D phase took place in Eurecat's laboratories in Tarragona, while the engineering and validation phase will be carried out at Eurecat's headquarters in Amposta in collaboration with the engineering firm CIRAUQUI. Subsequently, the plant will be moved to the facilities of CIUDEN in Cubillos del Sil (León), where its operation will be verified in continuous operation under real industrial operating conditions.

The technical director of R&D&I of CIUDEN, Alberto Gómez-Barea explains: 'Once the conceptual design of the reactor type, the installation, and the plant's performance were validated in the first phase, the next step is to complete the final design of the pilot-scale plant, its construction, and commissioning. The plant's approximate production will be ¼ tonne per day of methanol with a purity exceeding 90%. This plant will allow for the development of an advanced technological option for the production of green methanol from green hydrogen and captured CO2. Ultimately, this project will contribute significantly to decarbonization solutions, primarily for the chemical and energy industries, within the energy transition process, perfectly aligned with the climate neutrality objectives established in European and national plans.'

In the second phase of the project, Aitor Gual, the project director for Eurecat and head of the CO₂ Capture and Conversion Line at the technology center, adds: 'Plant simulation will be implemented for its design and sizing, a key step to guarantee technical feasibility,” emphasizes . This process allows us to anticipate complexities and minimise risks in construction, ensuring that the innovation can be successfully transferred to the real-world environment.'

According to Gual, 'the design has been conceived with sustainability integrated from the very beginning of the design phase,' a perspective “essential to reducing impact and ensuring that today’s technological solutions do not become tomorrow’s environmental problems.” This interdisciplinary approach 'reflects Eurecat’s working philosophy, where experts in different technologies and sectors collaborate across disciplines to ensure the success of a benchmark project in the field of industrial decarbonisation,' adds Aitor Gual.