Grn methanol
From the Power of the sun!
Grn methanol
From the Power of the sun!
The TUNol project
TUNol is a project of the SUNol consortium in Tunisia and aims to use the solar energy of the Sahara to produce the sought-after raw material methanol. In order to convert the solar energy into electricity, the TUNol project will build an Integrated CSP-PV Hybrid Power Plant (ICPH) at a selected site, which will generate renewable electricity and heat day and night. The generated electricity from the CSP-PV hybrid power plant will then be fed to an electrolysis process to split demineralized water into the chemical elements; hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2). In addition, aCO2 capture plant will be constructed. This will be used to recover pureCO2 instead of emitting it into the atmosphere. From the carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2) produced in this way, green methanol is synthesized in a catalytic process and then concentrated to produce methanol with a purity of 99.85%. Green methanol can be used as a base chemical, synthetic fuel and for many other industrial purposes. In this respect, the project also provides an important source of revenue for Tunisia in an attractive future market.
The TUNol project
TUNol is a project of the SUNol consortium in Tunisia and aims to use the solar energy of the Sahara to produce the sought-after raw material methanol. In order to convert the solar energy into electricity, the TUNol project will build an Integrated CSP-PV Hybrid Power Plant (ICPH) at a selected site, which will generate renewable electricity and heat day and night. The generated electricity from the CSP-PV hybrid power plant will then be fed to an electrolysis process to split demineralized water into the chemical elements; hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2). In addition, aCO2 capture plant will be constructed. This will be used to recover pureCO2 instead of emitting it into the atmosphere. From the carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2) produced in this way, green methanol is synthesized in a catalytic process and then concentrated to produce methanol with a purity of 99.85%. Green methanol can be used as a base chemical , synthetic fuel and for many other industrial purposes. In this respect, the project also provides an important source of revenue for Tunisia in an attractive future market.
Key figures
MEGAWATT
Power
KILOTONS/YEAR
Carbon dioxide saving
GWh/YEAR
Heat potential
KILOTONS/ YEAR
Methanol
KILOTONS/ YEAR
Oxygen
Key figures
MEGAWATT
Power
KILOTONS/YEAR
Carbon dioxide saving
GWh/YEAR
Heat potential
KILOTONS/ YEAR
Oxygen
KILOTONS/ YEAR
Methanol
SUNol Consortium
The Sun-OL consortium consists of the following industry and research partners:
(associated)
(associated)
(associated)
(associated)
The Tun-OL project is additionally funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection
FKZ: 03EE5123C
The TUol project is additionally supported by the
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection funded
FKZ: 03EE5123C
Motives and goals
- Growing pressure for decarbonization due to climate change and 2-degree target
Demand for CO2-free solutions
- Strongly increasing demand for green H2 / derivatives currently and in the future
Demand for production capacities - Implementation of multinational H2-Strategies for the transformation of the energy infrastructure
Creation of the framework for the development of a new industrial sector
=> Construction of an integrated production plant for the large-scale production of green methanol in Tunisia
Why methanol?
Potentials for Tunisia
Economic: Positive effects for sustainable socio-economic development
Short / medium term
- Jobs during the construction period
- Creation of a permanent local supplier / service infrastructure
- Meeting local demand for H2 / methanol
- Connection to international markets through international export
Medium / long term
- Future expansion of capacity for H2-generation
- Establishment of new value chains (O2 andCO2)
- Establishment of a local processing industry for H2 / methanol (derivatives)
- Development of technological and production competence in a modern industry
The process steps
THE CSP-PV-HYBRID Power Plant
A hybrid system consisting of a concentrated solar power (CSP) system with salt storage and a photovoltaic system provides continuous power generation at the project site.
CO2 Separation
The amine scrubbing process enablesCO2 capture from the exhaust gas of unavoidableCO2 sources.
Electrolysis
In high-pressure alkali electrolysis, demineralized water is split into hydrogen and oxygen.
MEthanol process (synthesis and distillation)
The recovered hydrogen and capturedCO2 are synthesized to crude methanol in methanol synthesis and then distilled to 99.85% pure methanol in methanol distillation.
The process steps
THE CSP-PV-HYBRID Power Plant
A hybrid system consisting of a concentrated solar power (CSP) system with salt storage and a photovoltaic system provides continuous power generation at the project site.
Co2 Separation
The amine scrubbing process enablesCO2 capture from the exhaust gas of unavoidableCO2 sources.
Electrolysis
In high-pressure alkali electrolysis, demineralized water is split into hydrogen and oxygen.
MEthanol process (synthesis and distillation)
The recovered hydrogen and capturedCO2 are synthesized to crude methanol in methanol synthesis and then distilled to 99.85% pure methanol in methanol distillation.