Bio-MeGaFuel

The goal of Bio-MeGaFuel is to establish a novel efficient, and scalable process to convert low-value biogenic residues and organic waste to biomethanol through chemical looping gasification coupled with membrane reactors. 

Besides being an important chemical commodity, methanol is a multipurpose fuel that can be used directly in internal combustion engines, blended with other fuels or for producing fuel additives, which improves engine performance. Methanol has great potential to be one of the selected low-carbon fuels for heavy road and transportation, and marine freight. Technologies that are using methanol as fuel are gaining more momentum and attention globally. However, several challenges may hinder the wider adoption of methanol in energy systems as a fuel: 

• its current production is primarily reliant on fossil resources, 
• the high cost of producing methanol from renewable sources (such as e-methanol or biomethanol), driven by low process efficiency and the high expense of renewable inputs, and
• strong global demand for methanol in the chemical industry, limiting its availability for the energy sector. 

The Bio-MeGaFuel project aims to address the above-mentioned challenges by enhancing production capacity and reducing the cost of biomethanol. Bio-MeGaFuel is underpinned by technologies that are being developed to TRL 5 by an expert consortium. In addition, the project is backed by a strong reference group including the business leaders and market players in biomass supply, whole methanol production value chain, potential end users, and potential future players in the production, management, and distribution of biomethanol. 

Project full name: Bio Methanol Production via Chemical Looping Gasification Coupled with Membrane Reactors

Project acronym: Bio-MeGaFuel

Call: HORIZON-CL5-2023-D3-02

“Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.”