From Biomass to Green Methanol: The Clean Fuel Pathway Explained

Executive Summary:
Green methanol is one of the most promising clean fuels for decarbonizing shipping, aviation, and chemicals. But where does it come from? At AER Energy, we turn low-value biomass into high-purity syngas — then synthesize methanol using modular, self-powered systems. The result: a carbon-negative fuel with verifiable credits and global infrastructure potential.

The Biomass-to-Methanol Pathway

At its core, green methanol production involves three main steps:

1. Biomass Gasification →
   Convert solid biomass into gaseous syngas
2. Syngas Upgrading →
   Clean, condition, and balance the gas for synthesis
3. Methanol Synthesis →
   Catalytically convert syngas into methanol fuel

AER Energy’s process integrates all three stages in a single, modular platform — powered by the energy it produces.

Step 1: Turning Biomass into Syngas

We start with sustainable, non-food biomass such as:

• Forestry residues
• Agricultural waste (e.g. husks, shells)
• Municipal organics and MSW fractions

This feedstock is fed into a low-oxygen gasification chamber at ~800°C, producing a clean syngas blend of:

• H₂ (Hydrogen)
• CO (Carbon Monoxide)
• Small amounts of CH₄ and CO₂

Key features of AER’s gasification:

• ✅ Autothermal: no fossil fuel or external power
• ✅ Modular: 50, 100, 150 TPH units
• ✅ AI-driven controls: automated and remote-ready
• ✅ Low tar, high hydrogen syngas output

Step 2: Conditioning and Upgrading Syngas

To synthesize methanol, syngas must meet specific H₂:CO ratios (typically 2:1) and be free of:

• Particulates
• Sulfur compounds
• Tars and heavy hydrocarbons

Our system integrates:

• Cyclonic separators
• Scrubbers and catalytic filters
• Gas compressors and flow balancing

The result: methanol-grade syngas ready for efficient catalytic conversion.

Step 3: Methanol Synthesis

We use a proprietary low-pressure catalytic reactor that operates continuously, converting the upgraded syngas into crude methanol with:

• ✅ High yield conversion rates
• ✅ Low parasitic energy draw
• ✅ On-site blending or storage ready

Crude methanol can be shipped directly as marine fuel, or refined further for:

• ✈️ SAF blending
• 🧪 Chemical feedstock
• 🚛 Clean transport fuels

Process Overview Table

Carbon Efficiency and Lifecycle Impact

• 🔒 Biochar Sequestration: Up to 3.1 tCO₂e removed per tonne biochar
• 🔁 Carbon-Negative Fuel: Net emissions range –65 to –115 kg CO₂e/GJ
• 💳 Carbon Credit Ready: Verified under Puro.earth, Verra, and ISO 14064

Methanol is the fuel output — but the real product is carbon removal + clean energy.

AER’s Modular Advantage

Most green methanol facilities are:

• ❌ Centralized mega-projects
• ❌ Dependent on fossil gas or imported H₂
• ❌ Years from operation

AER’s platform is:

• ✅ Modular: 20M+ litres/year per site
• ✅ Autonomous: AI-controlled, low staffing
• ✅ Fast to deploy: 6–12 month lead time
• ✅ Site-flexible: From ports to rural biomass hubs

Conclusion: A Fuel and a Framework for the Future

AER’s biomass-to-methanol pathway is more than a clean fuel process — it’s a climate infrastructure system. From carbon removal to renewable energy to fuel supply, it delivers value across emissions, energy, and economics.

Want to Learn More?

• 📄 Download the Full Process Brief
• ⚙️ Request Technical Specifications
• 🤝 Partner on Deployment or Fuel Offtake