Comparative techno—economic and environmental assessment of hydrogen—to—carbon ratio adjustment strategies in biogas to methanol processes

Luan Xuebin; Jiao Zhiyu; Wang Yufei; Niu Congcong; Liu Xuandong; Xu Run; Xia Guofu; Li Hongwei; Zhang Le; Ma Jiaze

doi:null

Your Location：

Home >

Browse articles >

Comparative techno—economic and environmental assessment of hydrogen—to—carbon ratio adjustment strategies in biogas to methanol processes

Updated：2026-09-17

- Comparative techno—economic and environmental assessment of hydrogen—to—carbon ratio adjustment strategies in biogas to methanol processes
- Comparative techno—economic and environmental assessment of hydrogen—to—carbon ratio adjustment strategies in biogas to methanol processes
- 中国化学工程学报（英文） 2026年95卷第7期页码：375-384
- Affiliations：
  
  SINOPEC Research Institute of Petroleum Processing Co., Ltd., Beijing 102206, China
  School of Chemical Engineering and Environment, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
  Department of Systems Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
- Author bio：
  
  *Corresponding authors. E-mail addresses:zhangle.ripp@sinopec.com(L. Zhang)
  *Corresponding authors. E-mail addresses:jiazema@cityu.edu.hk(J. Ma)
- Funds：
  
  supported by the Start—up fund from City University of Hong Kong under(9610711)
- DOI：
  中图分类号：
- 收稿：2025-12-11，
  
  修回：2026-03-20，
  
  录用：2026-03-29，
  
  网络首发：2026-05-12，
  
  纸质出版：2026-07
- Accepted：
Scan QR Code
Luan Xuebin, Jiao Zhiyu, Wang Yufei, 等. Comparative techno—economic and environmental assessment of hydrogen—to—carbon ratio adjustment strategies in biogas to methanol processes[J]. 中国化学工程学报（英文）, 2026,95(7):375-384.

Luan Xuebin, Jiao Zhiyu, Wang Yufei, et al. Comparative techno—economic and environmental assessment of hydrogen—to—carbon ratio adjustment strategies in biogas to methanol processes[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2026, 95(7): 375-384.
Luan Xuebin, Jiao Zhiyu, Wang Yufei, 等. Comparative techno—economic and environmental assessment of hydrogen—to—carbon ratio adjustment strategies in biogas to methanol processes[J]. 中国化学工程学报（英文）, 2026,95(7):375-384. DOI：

Luan Xuebin, Jiao Zhiyu, Wang Yufei, et al. Comparative techno—economic and environmental assessment of hydrogen—to—carbon ratio adjustment strategies in biogas to methanol processes[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2026, 95(7): 375-384. DOI：

摘要

Abstract

This study investigates biogas as a renewable feedstock for green methanol production and compares three hydrogen—to—carbon (H/C) ratio adjustment strategies: (I)CO

removal before reforming

(II)CO

removal after reforming

and (III) green hydrogen supplementation. Each route is evaluated using high—fidelity process simulations

techno—economic analysis

and life cycle assessment. Route II achieves the lowest minimum selling price (419 USD·t- 1 at a capacity of 100 kt·a- 1)and lowest net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (144 kg CO

per tonne of methanol)

due to superior energy efficiency and carbon utilization. Route III offers the highest production yield but depends heavily on low—cost green hydrogen. Our findings identify optimal pathways for deploying biogas—to—methanol technologies under varying economic and policy conditions.

关键词

Keywords

references

G.A. Olah, A. Goeppert, G.K. Surya Prakash, Chemical recycling of carbon dioxide to methanol and dimethyl ether: from greenhouse gas to renewable, environmentally carbon neutral fuels and synthetic hydrocarbons, J. Org. Chem. 74 (2) (2009) 487—498.

F. Dalena, A. Senatore, A. Marino, A. Gordano, M. Basile, A. Basile, Chapter 1-Methanol Production and Applications: an Overview. Methanol, Elsevier, 2018, pp. 3—28.

C. Hamelinck, M. Bunse, Carbon Footprint of Methanol, Methanol Institute, Arlington, VA, USA, 2022[2026-03-19], https://www.studiogearup.com/wpcontent/uploads/2022/02/2022_sGU-for-MI_Methanol-carbon-footprint-DEF-1.pdf.

Q.I. Roode-Gutzmer, D. Kaiser, M. Bertau, Renewable methanol synthesis, ChemBioEng Rev. 6 (6) (2019) 209—236.

S.S. Tabibian, M. Sharifzadeh, Statistical and analytical investigation of methanol applications, production technologies, value-chain and economy with a special focus on renewable methanol, Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 179 (2023) 113281.

O. Bazaluk, V. Havrysh, V. Nitsenko, T. Baležentis, D. Streimikien e, E.A. Tarkhanova, Assessment of green methanol production potential and related economic and environmental benefits: the case of China, Energies 13 (12) (2020) 3113.

I.E. Agency, Net zero by 2050: a Roadmap for the Global Energy Sector, International Energy Agency, Paris, France, 2021[2026-03-19], https://iea.blob. core.windows.net/assets/063ae08a-7114-4b58-a34e-39db2112d0a2/NetZeroby2050-ARoadmapfortheGlobalEnergySector.pdf.

J. Shi, Y.Q. Zhu, Y.M. Feng, J. Yang, C. Xia, A prompt decarbonization pathway for shipping: green hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol production and utilization in marine engines, Atmosphere 14 (3) (2023) 584.

M. Svanberg, J. Ellis, J. Lundgren, I. Landälv, Renewable methanol as a fuel for the shipping industry, Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 94 (2018) 1217—1228.

Maersk, EU Commission President Names Landmark Methanol Vessel "Laura Maersk", 2023[2025-05-30], https://www.maersk.com/news/articles/2023/09/14/eu-commission-president-names-landmark-methanol-vessel-aslaura-maersk.

N. Wissner, S. Healy, M. Cames, J. Sutter, Methanol as a Marine Fuel, NABU, Stuttgart, Germany,2023[2026-03-19], https://safety4sea.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/NABU-methanol-study-2023_03.pdf.

C. Hobson, C. Márquez, Renewable Methanol Report, Methanol Institute, Arlington, VA, USA, 2018[2026-03-19], https://sustainableworldports.org/wp-content/uploads/Methanol-Institute_2018_Renewable-methanolreport-report.pdf.

P. Weiland, Biogas production: current state and perspectives, Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 85 (4) (2010) 849—860.

N. Scarlat, J.F. Dallemand, F. Fahl, Biogas: developments and perspectives in Europe, Renew. Energy 129 (2018) 457—472.

X.Y. Jiang, S.G. Sommer, K.V. Christensen, A review of the biogas industry in China, Energy Policy 39 (10) (2011) 6073—6081.

A. Velivela, H. Barham, J. Bauer, J. Roschke, T.U. Daim, D. Meissner, Biogas:Converting Waste to Energy, Innovation Management in the Intelligent World, Springer International Publishing,2020, pp.85—298.

C. Liu, J. Wang, X.Y. Ji, H.L. Qian, L.L. Huang, X.H. Lu, The biomethane producing potential in China: a theoretical and practical estimation, Chin. J. Chem. Eng. 24 (7) (2016) 920—928.

A. Vita, C. Italiano, D. Previtali, C. Fabiano, A. Palella, F. Freni, G. Bozzano, L. Pino, F. Manenti, Methanol synthesis from biogas: a thermodynamic analysis, Renew. Energy 118 (2018) 673—684.

S. Ghosh, V. Uday, A. Giri, S. Srinivas, Biogas to methanol: a comparison of conversion processes involving direct carbon dioxide hydrogenation and via reverse water gas shift reaction, J. Clean. Prod. 217 (2019) 615—626.

R. Rinaldi, G. Lombardelli, M. Gatti, C.G. Visconti, M.C. Romano, Technoeconomic analysis of a biogas-to-methanol process: study of different process configurations and conditions, J. Clean. Prod. 393 (2023) 136259.

A. Alamia, B. Partoon, E. Rattigan, G. Bruun Andresen, Optimizing hydrogen and e-methanol production through Power-to-X integration in biogas plants, Energy Convers. Manag. 322 (2024) 119175.

E. Martín-Hernández, L.S. Guerras, M. Martín, Optimal technology selection for the biogas upgrading to biomethane, J. Clean. Prod. 267 (2020) 122032.

R.Y. Chein, W.H. Chen, H. Chyuan Ong, P. Loke Show, Y. Singh, Analysis of methanol synthesis using CO 2 hydrogenation and syngas produced from biogas-based reforming processes, Chem. Eng. J. 426 (2021) 130835.

L.C. Yang, X.M. Ge, C.X. Wan, F. Yu, Y.B. Li, Progress and perspectives in converting biogas to transportation fuels, Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 40 (2014) 1133—1152.

Y. Yang, J.Y. Fan, L.Y. Zhang, R.X. Gao, C.D. Zhang, Techno-economic assessment of biogas-to-methanol processes coupled with low-carbon H2 production technologies, Processes 13 (2) (2025) 313.

E. Moioli, T. Schildhauer, Eco-techno-economic analysis of methanol production from biogas and power-to-X, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 61 (21) (2022) 7335—7348.

N. Schiaroli, M. Volanti, A. Crimaldi, F. Passarini, A. Vaccari, G. Fornasari, S. Copelli, F. Florit, C. Lucarelli, Biogas to syngas through the combined steam/dry reforming process: an environmental impact assessment, Energy Fuel. 35 (5) (2021) 4224—4236.

B. Hernández, M. Martín, Optimal process operation for biogas reforming to methanol: effects of dry reforming and biog as composition, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 55 (23) (2016) 6677—6685.

M.V. Bram, J. Liniger, S.S. Majidabad, H.R. Shabani, M.P.R. Teles, X.T. Cui, Challenges in Power-to-X: a perspective of the configuration and control process for E-methanol production, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy 76 (2024) 315—325.

P. Battaglia, G. Buffo, D. Ferrero, M. Santarelli, A. Lanzini, Methanol synthesis through CO 2 capture and hydrogenation: thermal integration, energy performance and techno-economic assessment, J. CO 2 Util. 44 (2021) 101407.

Y.C. Gao, J.G. Jiang, Y. Meng, F. Yan, A. Aihemaiti, A review of recent developments in hydrogen production via biogas dry reforming, Energy Convers. Manag. 171 (2018) 133—155.

S. Appari, V.M. Janardhanan, R. Bauri, S. Jayanti, O. Deutschmann, A detailed kinetic model for biogas steam reforming on Ni and catalyst deactivation due to sulfur poisoning, Appl. Catal. Gen. 471 (2014) 118—125.

W.L. Luyben, Control of parallel dry methane and steam methane reforming processes for Fischer—Tropsch syngas, J. Process Control 39 (2016) 77—87.

J.J. Klemeš, Z. Kravanja, Forty years of heat integration: pinch analysis (PA) and mathematical programming(MP), Curr. Opin. Chem. Eng. 2(4)(2013)461—474.

J.R. Rostrup-Nielsen, Chapter 1-Catalytic Steam Reforming, Catalysis, Volume 5, De Gruyter, Springer, 1984.

G.T. Rochelle, Amine scrubbing for CO 2 Capture, Science 325 (5948) (2009) 1652—1654.

G.H. Graaf, E.J. Stamhuis, A.A.C.M. Beenackers, Kinetics of low-pressure methanol synthesis, Chem. Eng. Sci. 43 (12) (1988) 3185—3195.

O.J. Guerra, J. Eichman, J. Kurtz, B.M. Hodge, Cost competitiveness of electrolytic hydrogen, Joule 3 (10) (2019) 2425—2443.

G. Leonzio, Methanol synthesis: optimal solution for a better efficiency of the process, Processes 6 (3) (2018) 20.

L. Qu, X. Jiang, Z.H. Zhang, X.G. Zhang, G.Y. Song, H.L. Wang, Y.P. Yuan, Y.L. Chang, A review of hydrodeoxygenation of bio-oil: model compounds, catalysts, and equipment, Green Chem. 23 (23) (2021) 9348—9376.

G. Tsatsaronis, Thermoeconomic analysis and optimization of energy systems, Prog. Energy Combust. Sci. 19 (3) (1993) 227—257.

S. Afzal, A. Singh, S.R. Nicholson, T. Uekert, J.S. DesVeaux, E.C.D. Tan, A. Dutta, A.C. Carpenter, R.M. Baldwin, G.T. Beckham, Techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment of mixed plastic waste gasification for production of methanol and hydrogen, Green Chem. 25 (13) (2023) 5068—5085.

N. de Fournas, M. Wei, Techno-economic assessment of renewable methanol from biomass gasification and PEM electrolysis for decarbonization of the maritime sector in California, Energy Convers. Manag. 257 (2022) 115440.

G. Butera, S.H. Jensen, J. Ahrenfeldt, L.R. Clausen, Techno-economic analysis of methanol production units coupling solid oxide cells and thermochemical biomass conversion via the TwoStage gasifier, Fuel Process. Technol. 215 (2021) 106718.

H.H. Kung, Deactivation of methanol synthesis catalysts - a review, Catal. Today 11 (4) (1992) 443—453.

J. Man, T. Ma, Y. Yu, H. Ren, Levelized costs and potential production of green hydrogen with wind and solar power in different provinces of mainland China, J. Renew. Sustain. Energy 16 (2) (2024) 025902.

R. Heijungs, K. Allacker, E. Benetto, M. Brandaõ, J. Guinée, S. Schaubroeck, T. Schaubroeck, A. Zamagni, System expansion and substitution in LCA: a lost opportunity of ISO 14044 amendment 2, Front. Sustain. 2 (2021) 692055.

D.D. Sutar, S.V. Jadhav, Life cycle assessment of methanol production by natural gas route, Mater. Today Proc. 57 (2022) 1559—1566.

G. Wernet, C. Bauer, B. Steubing, J. Reinhard, E. Moreno-Ruiz, B. Weidema, The ecoinvent database version 3 (part I): overview and methodology, Int. J. Life Cycle Assess. 21 (9) (2016) 1218—1230.

M. Lantz, M. Svensson, L. Björnsson, P. Börjesson, The prospects for an expansion of biogas systems in Sweden: incentives, barriers and potentials, Energy Policy 35 (3) (2007) 1830—1843.

浏览量

Downloads

CSCD

文章被引用时，请邮件提醒。

Submit

工具集

关联资源

Thermodynamic feasibility of nickel and cerium oxides as versatile oxygen carriers in chemical looping reforming of methane-rich feedstocks

Acid gas combustion in the inverse diffusion flame for increasing flame temperature under low-level oxygen enrichment conditions

The Joule–Thomson effect of (CO2 + H2) binary system relevant to gas switching reforming with carbon capture and storage (CCS)

Feasibility analysis and process simulation of CO2 dehydration using triethylene glycol for CO2 pipeline transportation

Coupling pinch analysis and rigorous process simulation for hydrogen networks with light hydrocarbon recovery