LAPSE:2025.0233
Published Article
LAPSE:2025.0233
Valorization of refinery fuel gas and biogenic gases from thermochemical conversion into low-carbon methanol
June 27, 2025
Abstract
By-product fuel gases from refinery operations are a major heat source in fossil refineries and their availability poses a challenge to the deployment of low-carbon heat sources. This study evaluates the valorization of refinery fuel gases (RFG) into low-carbon methanol via co-processing with residual biogenic gas streams from biomass thermochemical conversion. Results from techno-economic analysis indicate that up to 44 wt.% of biogenic blend is possible without the need for external hydrogen supply, while electricity and heat requirements per tonne of methanol change by -4 % and + 80% respectively. Nevertheless, at the 44 wt.% blend, the estimated methanol cost increases only by 2.4 % (0.43 EUR/kg), while the reduction in methanol carbon intensity is approximately 40 %. This highlights promising benefits that can contribute to the integration of bio-oils producing technologies within fossil refineries.
By-product fuel gases from refinery operations are a major heat source in fossil refineries and their availability poses a challenge to the deployment of low-carbon heat sources. This study evaluates the valorization of refinery fuel gases (RFG) into low-carbon methanol via co-processing with residual biogenic gas streams from biomass thermochemical conversion. Results from techno-economic analysis indicate that up to 44 wt.% of biogenic blend is possible without the need for external hydrogen supply, while electricity and heat requirements per tonne of methanol change by -4 % and + 80% respectively. Nevertheless, at the 44 wt.% blend, the estimated methanol cost increases only by 2.4 % (0.43 EUR/kg), while the reduction in methanol carbon intensity is approximately 40 %. This highlights promising benefits that can contribute to the integration of bio-oils producing technologies within fossil refineries.
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Sanchez EL, Lopez-Basto E, Ramirez A. Valorization of refinery fuel gas and biogenic gases from thermochemical conversion into low-carbon methanol. Systems and Control Transactions 4:509-514 (2025) https://doi.org/10.69997/sct.173711
Author Affiliations
Sanchez EL: Department of Energy, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
Lopez-Basto E: Cartagena Refinery. Ecopetrol S.A., Colombia; Department of Engineering Systems and Services, Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
Ramirez A: Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
Lopez-Basto E: Cartagena Refinery. Ecopetrol S.A., Colombia; Department of Engineering Systems and Services, Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
Ramirez A: Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
Journal Name
Systems and Control Transactions
Volume
4
First Page
509
Last Page
514
Year
2025
Publication Date
2025-07-01
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Original Submission
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PII: 0509-0514-1388-SCT-4-2025, Publication Type: Journal Article
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LAPSE:2025.0233
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https://doi.org/10.69997/sct.173711
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LAPSE:2025.0014
Supplementary material: Valorizatio...
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References Cited
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