To provide a method for producing a desired alcohol by controlling a content of a syngas formed by using a unique catalyst and a feedstock reformer.
Carbon dioxide is removed from the syngas formed by reforming a carbonaceous feedstock with a feedstock reformer to yield a carbon dioxide depleted syngas stream including hydrogen, carbon monoxide and methane. The carbon dioxide-depleted syngas stream is then passed through a Fischer-Tropsch reactor ultimately yielding a mixed alcohol product which is preferably largely ethanol. The removed carbon dioxide stream is passed through a methane reformer along with methane, which is produced in or passed through the Fischer-Tropsch reactor to yield primarily carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The carbon monoxide and hydrogen stream is passed through a catalyzed alcohol reactor.
Takaaki Yasumura
Natsuki Morishita