ILIMITED proposes a breakthrough integrated system that encompass several key technological advances (KTAs):

  • KTA1| High selective thermo-catalytic methanol synthesis reaction system through in-situ product removal by ionic liquid able to increase current SoA maximum yield (60%) to over 80%
  • KTA2| Catalyst encapsulation for the fouling and poison prevention of the Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst will allow the gas to diffuse over the catalyst while avoiding direct contact with ionic liquid, leading to an efficient and stable operation of methanol synthesis
  • KTA3| a 3D-printed fluid guiding reactor able rise up to 5-15% the total conversion in the reactor, circumventing the thermodynamic limitations thanks to the maximization of the fluid contact through the above the SoA micro-channels ad-hoc designed for the reactor.
Based on advantages, the technology has an upper hand against the conventional methods also in utilizing local small-scale CO2 sources, avoiding high heat exchange duty and allowing operation at lower pressures.ILIMITED targets the use of this technology in WWTP as possible future biorefineries, enabling long-term energy storage and fuel production while providing a source of methanol for use in denitrification. By utilizing carbon dioxide from biogas, the potential for energy storage is enormous as the anaerobic digestion (AD) sector grows. With 21 million tons of CO2 per year from AD sources available by 2030, the readily available energy from produced e-methanol is estimated to be over 65 TWh, which is a large contribution to a stable energy supply compared to the average monthly electricity consumption (220 TWh).