Opening of CO₂ to Methanol plant at Svartsengi geothermal plant

Carbon Recycling International (CRI) is a developer and operator enabling carbon dioxide capture and conversion. The company uses its patented production process utlizing hydrogen (H₂) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) to produce renewable methanol which can be directly blended up to 3% with gasoline according to the EU/ EEA fuel quality directive.

The company has been operating a pilote scale plant in its laboratory based on its patented process for CO₂ to liquid fuels. In late 2011, the company commissioned the world’s first commercial scale plant in the world.

The CO₂ feedstock and renewable power for producing hydrogen (H₂) are both supplied by the geothermal power plant at Svartsengi.

The “George Olah Plant” was completed in cooperation with Jacobs Engineering, Mannvit, HS Orka and the municipality of Grindavík.

The company will procued about 5 million liters per year, fueling about 2.5% of the Icelandic gasoline market. It uses about 5 MW in power generation capacity per year (around 40,000 MWh per year) recycling ca. 5,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year.

As I was told some time ago by the company’s CEO K-C Tran, the Svartsengi is a very unique location. The quality of the CO₂ emitted by the geothermal plant and the power that can be used for the operation make this a very special operation. It helps decrease CO₂ emissions of the geothermal plant, utilizing green power to create a green fuel. A win-win for all involved.

Source: Carbon Recycling International, 2012-06-01.