The invention relates to a method for producing a synthesis gas from a carbon dioxiderich stream and a water feedstock via electrolysis, and where the synthesis gas is further converted to methanol, or synthetic fuels, or substitute natural gas (SNG). The synthesis gas may also be further converted to higher alcohols, i.e. C1-C5 alcohols.

Currently it is often inefficient and problematic to produce methanol from H2 and CO2, e.g. from a synthesis gas, this being a gas rich in H2 and CO2 and normally produced by steam reforming of a hydrocarbon feedstock such as natural gas. For methanol synthesis, a high CO2 to CO ratio in the synthesis gas results in a larger methanol conversion reactor and more expensive downstream purification process.

For methanol production purposes, it is known to use electrolysis of water to produce H2 and then mix it with CO2 to form a synthesis gas. Hence, a known way of producing methanol is by taking a water feedstock and via electrolysis converting it into H2, and then combining with a separate CC>2-rich stream and compressing for thereby forming a synthesis gas having a molar ratio H2/CO2 of about 3. This synthesis gas is then passed to a conventional methanol loop including conversion into methanol (CH3OH) in a methanol synthesis reactor according to the reactions: 3 H2 + CO2 = CH3OH + H2O, CO + 2 H2 = CH3OH. The resulting raw methanol stream is then purified, i.e. enriched in methanol, via distillation, thereby producing a product stream with at least 98 wt% methanol as well as a separate water stream.

US 2007045125 A1 discloses a method for synthesizing synthesis gas from carbon dioxide obtained from atmospheric air or other available carbon dioxide source and water using a sodium-conducting electrochemical cell. Synthesis gas is also produced by the co-electrolysis of carbon dioxide and steam in solid oxide electrolytic cell. The synthesis gas produced may then be further processed and eventually converted into a liquid fuel suitable for transportation or other applications. This citation is at least silent on the use of a solid oxide electrolysis unit for conversion of CO2 to a specific mixture of CO and CO2.

US 20090289227 A1 discloses a method for utilizing CO2 waste comprising recovering carbon dioxide from an industrial process that produces a waste stream comprising carbon dioxide in an amount greater than an amount of carbon dioxide present in starting materials for the industrial process. The method further includes producing hydrogen using a renewable energy resource and producing a hydrocarbon material utilizing the produced hydrogen and the recovered carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide may be converted to CO by electrolysis and water to hydrogen by electrolysis. This citation is at least silent on the use of a solid oxide electrolysis unit for conversion of CO2 to a specific mixture of CO and CO2.

US 20180127668 A1 discloses a renewable fuel production system which includes a carbon dioxide capture unit for extracting carbon dioxide from atmospheric air, a carbon dioxide electrolyzer for converting carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide, a water electrolyzer for converting water to hydrogen, a synfuels generator for converting carbon monoxide produced by the carbon dioxide electrolyzer and hydrogen produced by the water electrolyzer to a fuel. The fuel produced can be synthetic gasoline and/or synthetic diesel. The carbon dioxide is converted to CO via an electrochemical conversion of CO2, which refers to any electrochemical process in which carbon dioxide, carbonate, or bicarbonate is converted into another chemical substance in any step of the process. This citation is therefore at least silent on the use of a solid oxide electrolysis unit for conversion of CO2, as well as converting the CO2 to a specific mixture of CO and CO2.

Kungas, Rainer, “Review - Electrochemical CO2 reduction for CO production: Comparison of Low. And High-Temperature Electrolysis Technologies”; Journal of The Electrochemical Society, 2020, 167 044508, provides a review of state-of-the-art low- temperature, molten carbonate, and solid oxide electrolyzers for the production of CO.

Applicant’s co-pending patent application WO PCT/EP2021/086999 discloses a method and a system for producing a synthesis gas from a carbon dioxide-rich stream and a water feedstock, where the synthesis gas is further converted to methanol by methanol synthesis. Electrolysis of water produces a feed stream comprising hydrogen and once-through electrolysis of carbon dioxide produces a feed stream comprising CO and CO2. The feed streams are combined into a synthesis gas where the molar ratio CO/CO2 is 0.2-0.6. It has now been found that by using a combination of electrolysis steps for both a water feed and a CO2 feed, it is possible to form a more reactive synthesis gas for subsequent methanol conversion and/or for production of hydrocarbon products such as synthetic fuels, resulting i.a. in a reduction of reactor size such as size of a methanol converter, less formation of water and not least a drastic reduction of the carbon footprint. Furthermore, savings in terms of hydrogen consumption for particularly methanol conversion are achieved as well. Other associated benefits will become apparent from the below embodiments.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention is a method for producing methanol comprising the steps of: a) providing a first CO2-rich stream and passing it through a first electrolysis unit for producing a first stream comprising CO and CO2; separating from said first stream comprising CO and CO2:

- a second stream comprising CO and CO2, and

- a second CO2-rich stream; and recycling the second CO2-rich stream to said electrolysis unit; b) providing a water feedstock and passing it through a second electrolysis unit for producing a stream comprising H2, c) combining said second stream comprising CO and CO2 and said stream comprising H2 into a synthesis gas; d) converting said synthesis gas into said methanol; wherein said second stream comprising CO and CO2 has a molar ratio CO/CO2 greater than 2.

It would be understood, that the recycling of the second CO2-rich stream to said first electrolysis unit, means that in step a) the electrolysis is not conducted in a once- through electrolysis unit.

It would be understood that the first CO2-rich stream is a stream mainly containing CO2, e.g. 99 vol.% or more CO2. It would be understood, that the first stream comprising CO and CO2 is a mixture containing CO and CO2, as the first CO2-rich stream is converted in the first electrolysis unit.

As used herein, the term “passing it through” means that electrolysis process is occurring in the electrolysis unit, whereby at least part of e.g. the carbon dioxide is converted into CO with the help of electric current.

As used herein, the term “comprising” may also be interpreted as “comprising only”, i.e. “consists of”.

Hence, the invention enables converting part of the CO2 to CO and then converting this together with the H2 and the remaining CO2 into methanol by methanol synthesis. Thereby, a superior synthesis feed to produce methanol is obtained compared to the prior art. The solution provided by the present invention is neutral on power consumption as the needed power for CO generation via electrolysis can be subtracted from the needed power for H2 generation via electrolysis. Furthermore, the catalyst volume for downstream methanol synthesis, i.e. in a methanol conversion reactor, is further reduced. The superior synthesis gas will reduce both operating expenses (OPEX) and capital expenses (CAPEX).

In an embodiment, said synthesis gas has a module M=(H2-CO2)/(CO+CO2) in the range 1.95-2.10, and a molar ratio CO/CO2 greater than 2.

The synthesis gas used for methanol production is normally described in terms of said module M, since the synthesis gas is in balance for the methanol reaction when M=2. It would be understood that M=(H2-CO2)/(CO+CC>2) is calculated in term of molar percentages (molar concentrations). In typical synthesis gases for methanol production, such as synthesis gas produced by steam reforming, the synthesis gas will contain some excess hydrogen resulting in modules slightly above 2, for instance 2.05 or 2.10. In the present invention, suitably also, M is greater than 2, such as 2.05 or 2.10. Thereby, the size of the corresponding conversion unit, such as the size of the methanol synthesis reactor (methanol reactor) is further significantly reduced. In addition, significant savings in electrolysis power consumption is achieved. As used herein, the term “suitably” or “suitable” is used interchangeably with the term “optionally” or “optional”, respectively, i.e. an optional embodiment.

Furthermore, while operation with a molar ratio CO/CO2 higher than 0.6 or higher in e.g. once-through electrolysis of a CC>2-rich stream, entails a risk of carbon formation due to the higher content of CO in the gas, in the present invention the molar ratio CO/CO2 in the exit gas at the outlet of the electrolysis unit in step a) i.e. the first stream comprising CO and CO2, is maintained at 0.6 or lower for avoiding the risk of carbon formation, yet this exit gas is separated into the second CO2-rich stream which is recycled to the inlet of the first electrolysis unit, and a CO rich product gas i.e. the second stream comprising CO and CO2, with the molar ratio of CO/CO2 above 2.

The higher the molar ratio of CO/CO2, the better; for instance, the molar ratio CO/CO2 in the second stream comprising CO and CO2, and thereby also in the synthesis gas is 4 or 6 or 8 or 10 or 20 or even higher. Thereby, a superior synthesis gas is produced promoting the methanol synthesis downstream via the reaction CO + 2 H2 = CH3OH, rather than via the reaction 3 H2 + CO2 = CH3OH + H2O, while at the same time avoiding risks of carbon formation in the first electrolysis unit in step a), i.e. the first electrolysis unit being fed with the carbon dioxide-rich stream.

Accordingly, in an embodiment, the first stream comprising CO and CO2 has a molar ratio CO/CO2 of 0.6 or lower, such as in the range 0.2-0.6.

In an embodiment, the first CO2-rich stream is produced by passing a carbon dioxidefeed stream, suitably carbon dioxide from an external source, through a CO2-cleaning unit for removing impurities, such as Cl, sulfur, Si, As.

This ensures the protection of downstream units, here in particular the subsequent electrolysis. For instance, COS even in small amounts can cause problems. Normally, the amount of COS in industrial CO2 is below the detection limit, but - in certain instances - COS has been measured in the range 10-20 ppb, which is enough to exert a detrimental effect on the electrolysis unit, resulting in a fast degeneration thereof. In an embodiment, H2O is added to the synthesis gas corresponding to a molar percentage of 1.5-3 mol% in the synthesis gas, when the CO2 content in the synthesis gas is below 0.5 mol%. Accordingly, H2O corresponding to a molar percentage between 1 .5 and 3 is added to the synthesis gas if the CO2 content has a molar percentage of < 0.5. In other words, in this embodiment, the CO2 content in the synthesis gas is below 0.5 mol%, and H2O is added to synthesis gas corresponding to a molar percentage of 1.5-3 mol% in the synthesis gas.

The synthesis gas for methanol conversion comprises a mixture of CO, CO2 and H2, as well as H2O. By adding H2O so its content in the synthesis gas is 1.5-3% when the CO2 content is below 0.5 mol%, it is now possible to better counterbalance the impact of not having sufficient CO2 for methanol synthesis. While the molar ratio of CO to CO2 in the synthesis gas is greater than 2, and the higher this ratio the better, it may often be desirable to keep the CO2 content of the synthesis gas at a level not below 0.5 mol%, since methanol synthesis may still require the presence of at least some CO2. The addition of water enables the generation of CO2 via the water gas shift reaction: CO + H2O = H2 + CO2. By the present invention, it is easier to produce pure CO and not add CO2; instead water is added.

When producing methanol, if one was to produce methanol from CO2 and H2, this comes at a much higher cost compared to methanol feed gas comprising H2, CO and CO2, because the reaction from CO2 forms water compared to the reaction from CO; again, as a result of the reactions: CO2 + 3H2 = CH3OH + H2O, CO + 2H2 = CH3OH. The resulting water has a negative effect on the performance of the catalyst and the catalyst volumes increases with more than 100% if the CO2 concentration is too high, e.g. 90%. Much more energy is also required for the purification of the methanol because all the water is removed by distillation.

The energy to conduct water and carbon dioxide electrolysis is more or less the same, if the energy to evaporate the water is included. Thus, from an energy point of view, generally it does not matter much if one conducts water or carbon dioxide electrolysis where the goal is to produce methanol from water and CO2. By the invention, the first electrolysis unit for producing a first stream comprising CO and CO2 is suitably a solid oxide electrolysis cell unit, hereinafter also referred to as SOEC-CO2 (electrolysis of CO2 via SOEC).

In an embodiment, in conducting the CO2 electrolysis in step a), the step of separating said first stream comprising CO and CO2, comprises passing this stream through a CO- enrichment unit, e.g. in a pressure swing adsorption unit (PSA), for producing said second stream comprising CO and CO2, and said second CO2-rich stream.

From the CO-enrichment unit, e.g. PSA unit, the second stream comprising CO and CO2 is rich in CO, thus having a molar ratio of CO/CO2 greater than 2, and containing e.g. above 99% CO. The second CO2-rich stream is withdrawn from the PSA at low pressure, and therefore, it is compressed and recycled to the first electrolysis unit.

The electrolysis of CO2 to CO in step a) suitably comprises five sections in order to produce the second stream comprising CO and CO2 with a molar ratio CO/CO2 greater than 2, in particular high purity CO, for instance 99.9995 % CO, namely: feed system, electrolysis, compression, purification (CO-enrichment) e.g. in a PSA incl. recycle compression, polishing.

The CO-enrichment unit may also be a membrane unit.

In an embodiment, the step of providing a first CO2-rich stream and passing it through a first electrolysis unit for producing a first stream comprising CO and CO2, and the step of providing a water feedstock and passing it through a second electrolysis unit for producing a stream comprising H2, are conducted separately, i.e. each step is conducted with its corresponding electrolysis unit, as illustrated in appended Fig. 1.

A higher efficiency when converting the synthesis gas into methanol is achieved: when conducting co-electrolysis i.e. when the first and second electrolysis unit is the same, there will be some formation of methane as hydrogen and carbon monoxide may react. For methanol production, methane is an inert so there is an efficiency loss associated with the generation of methane. In addition, by conducting the electrolysis of carbon dioxide and electrolysis of water separately, it is easier to optimize the e.g. SOEC stacks of the corresponding electrolysis units and the process for the two different productions.

In an embodiment, the step a) comprises by-passing a portion of said a first CC>2-rich stream prior to passing it through said first electrolysis unit, suitably a solid oxide electrolysis unit (SOEC-CO2).

Thereby, increased flexibility in the tailoring of the molar ratio CO/CO2 in the first stream comprising CO and CO2 is possible, while at the same time enabling a smaller solid oxide electrolysis cell unit compared to where no by-pass is provided. For instance, the by-passed portion of the first CO2-rich stream mainly containing CO2 is combined with the stream exiting the first electrolysis unit, suitably after separating the second CO2-rich stream used for recycle, together with the feed stream comprising H2 for thereby producing said synthesis gas having thee molar ratio CO/CO2 > 2 and the module M=(H2-CO2)/(CO+CO2) in the range 1.95-2.10, suitably 2.05 or 2.10, as also illustrated in appended Fig. 1.

In an embodiment, the first electrolysis unit is a solid oxide electrolysis unit (herein also referred to as SOEC-CO2 or SOEC-CO2 unit), and the second electrolysis unit for producing the stream comprising H2 is: an alkaline/polymer electrolyte membrane electrolysis unit i.e. alkaline and/or PEM electrolysis unit; or a solid oxide electrolysis cell unit.(SOEC unit).

The combination of using electrolysis of CO2 via SOEC (SOEC-CO2) and electrolysis of water via alkaline/PEM electrolysis further results in electrolysis power reduction compared to the prior art only using electrolysis of water via alkaline/PEM electrolysis with no electrolysis of CO2.

Furthermore, when the electrolysis of H2O to H2 is based on liquid water (like alkaline/PEM), the heat of evaporation of the water is saved.

SOEC-CO2 and alkaline/PEM electrolysis units are well known in the art, in particular alkaline/PEM electrolysis. For instance, applicant’s WO 2013/131778 describes SOEC- C0 ₂ . The particular combination of SOEC-CO2 and alkaline/PEM electrolysis is easily accessible and thereby also more inexpensive than other combinations of electrolysis units.

Particularly, in the SOEC-CO2, CO2 is converted to a mixture of CO and CO2 at the fuel electrode i.e. cathode. Also, oxygen is formed at the same time at the oxygen electrode, i.e. anode, often using air as flushing gas. Thus, CO and O ₂ are formed on each side of the electrolysis cell.

The present invention enables converting one mole of CO2 to CO, thereby reducing the need for H ₂ for the conversion to methanol by up to one mole, in line with the above reactions for producing methanol, which for the sake of completeness are hereby recited again: CO + 2 H ₂ = CH3OH; CO ₂ + 3 H ₂ = CH3OH + H ₂ O.

Thus, every time one mole of CO2 is converted to one mole CO, one mole of H ₂ less is needed. This conveys a significant saving in hydrogen consumption.

In a particular embodiment, the second electrolysis unit for producing the feed stream comprising H ₂ is a solid oxide electrolysis cell unit. Accordingly, both the first and the second electrolysis units are solid oxide electrolysis cell units (SOEC units). Either of these electrolysis units operates suitably in the temperature range 700-800°C, which thereby enables operating with a common system for the cooling of streams thereof and thus integration of process units. Furthermore, when using SOEC both for electrolysis of CO2 and for electrolysis of H ₂ O into H ₂ based on steam, the energy for distillation of H ₂ O out of the produced CH3OH is saved.

Operation with SOEC units at such high temperatures (700-800°C) provides advantages over alkaline/PEM electrolysis, which operate at much lower temperature, i.e. in the range 60-160°C. Such advantages include, for instance in connection with CO2 electrolysis, lower operational expenses due to lower cell voltage as well as lower capital expenses to higher current densities.

In an embodiment, said water feedstock comprises steam produced from other processes of the method, such as from steam generation or downstream distillation. In other words, the method of the invention may further comprise a step of producing steam from other processes of the method.

Energy efficiency of the process (method) is thereby increased since any steam generated during e.g. downstream process may be reused instead of e.g. requiring steam-export. Also, in the enrichment or purification of e.g. methanol by distillation, water is also formed which advantageously can be reused as part of the water feedstock.

It would be understood that liquid water cannot be passed through an SOEC unit, while steam cannot be passed through an alkaline/PEM unit. In other words, a SOEC unit operates with liquid water (water), while an alkaline/PEM unit operates with steam.

It would also be understood that there will be an overall saving when using water (steam) SOEC for producing H2 if excess steam is available. Then the evaporation energy is saved in a SOEC which not will be the case if the excess steam is used for power production where the condensation heat will be lost. In particular, there will be excess steam available in the case where the end product is raw methanol, for instance where the raw methanol is produced according to Applicant’s US 4520216 i.e. methanol-to-gasoline route (TiGAS), where raw methanol is converted to gasoline, or any other transportation fuel such as jet fuel, or if the synthesis gas is used for substitute natural gas (SNG).

In an embodiment, said carbon dioxide feed stream or said first carbon dioxide-rich stream comprises carbon dioxide from external sources such as from biogas upgrading or fossil fuel-based synthesis gas plants.

External sources, as mentioned above, include biogas upgrade. Biogas is a renewable energy source that can be used for heating, electricity, and many other operations. Biogas can be cleaned and upgraded to natural gas standards, when it becomes biomethane. Biogas is primarily methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), typically containing 60-70% vol. methane. Up to 30% or even 40% of the biogas may be carbon dioxide. Typically, this carbon dioxide is removed from the biogas and vented to the atmosphere in order to provide a methane rich gas for further processing or to provide it to a natural gas network. The removed CO2 is utilized for making more synthesis gas (syngas) with the method according to the present invention.

An example of a fossil fuel-based syngas plant is a natural gas-based syngas plant for gasoline production (TiGAS) i.e. a Gas-to-Liquid (GTL) process, or for methanol production where CO2 is extracted from waste heat sections or fired heater flue gases and utilized for making more syngas with the method according to the present invention.

Other external sources include heat and power plants and waste incineration plants.

In an embodiment according to the first aspect of the invention, the electrical power required in the step of electrolysis of the carbon dioxide-rich stream or the water feedstock, is provided at least partly by renewable sources, such as wind and solar energy, or for instance also by hydropower. Thereby an even more sustainable i.e. “greener” method (process) and system (plant) approach is achievable, since no fossil fuels are used for the generation of power needed for the electrolysis. Optionally, the electricity is provided from a thermonuclear source.

In an embodiment, the step of converting the synthesis gas into methanol comprises passing the synthesis gas through a methanol synthesis reactor under the presence of a catalyst for producing a raw methanol stream, said step optionally further comprising a distillation step of the raw methanol stream for producing a water stream and a separate methanol stream having at least 98 wt% methanol.

The molar ratio of CH3OH/H2O in the raw methanol stream according to the present invention is 1.2 or higher, for instance 1.3 or higher, as a result of the methanol synthesis gas being more reactive than in conventional methanol synthesis or where only water electrolysis is used for producing hydrogen. In conventional methanol synthesis, from the so-called methanol loop a raw methanol product is produced having a molar ratio CH3OH/H2O of often about 1 , which represents the production of a substantial amount of water which needs to be separated downstream. Hence, the present invention further enables that the produced raw methanol has a much lower content of water, e.g. at least 20% or at least 30% less water on a molar base, compared to conventional methanol synthesis, thereby enabling less water being carried on in the process with attendant reduction in e.g. equipment size, such as piping, as well as reducing the costs of water separation downstream, e.g. by enabling a much simpler and cost efficient distillation for the purification of methanol.

Furthermore, the catalyst performance in the methanol synthesis reactor is also sensitive to water, so catalyst volumes and thereby reactor size are further reduced significantly.

Methanol technology including methanol synthesis reactors and/or methanol synthesis loops are well-known in the art. Thus, the general practice in the art is conducting the methanol conversion in a once-through methanol conversion process; or to recycle unconverted synthesis gas separated from the reaction effluent and dilute the fresh synthesis gas with the recycle gas. The latter typically results in the so-called methanol synthesis loop, herein interchangeably referred to as methanol loop, with one or more reactors connected in series or in parallel. For instance, serial synthesis of methanol is disclosed in US 5827901 and US 6433029, and parallel synthesis in US 5631302 and EP 2874738 B1.

The method of the present invention is preferably absent of steam reforming of a hydrocarbon feed gas such as natural gas for producing the synthesis gas. Steam reforming, e.g. conventional steam methane reforming (SMR) or autothermal reforming (ATR) are large and energy intensive processes, hence operation without steam reforming for producing the synthesis gas enables significant reduction in plant size and operating costs as well as significant energy savings. In addition, compared to SMR, with electrolysis units the production capacity can easily be altered by removing or adding more electrolysis units (linear scaling of costs with size). This is normally not the case for e.g. SMR.

In a second aspect, the invention relates also to a method for producing a synthesis gas, useful for a variety of downstream applications.

Accordingly, there is provided a method for producing a synthesis gas, comprising: i) providing a first CC>2-rich stream, providing a water feedstock and combining it with the first CC>2-rich stream to form a combined feed gas stream, and passing the combined feed gas stream through an electrolysis unit for producing said synthesis gas which comprises CO, CO2 and H2; wherein the synthesis gas has a module M=(H2-CO2)/(CO+CO2) in the range 1.95-2.10, or a molar ratio H2/CO of 1.95-2.10; wherein i) is conducted by once-through co-electrolysis, i.e. once-through operation in an electrolysis unit, such as a solid oxide electrolysis cell unit (SOEC unit); and wherein the once-through co-electrolysis is conducted in a solid oxide electrolysis cell unit and the method comprises: by-passing a portion of said first CC>2-rich stream prior to passing it through said solid oxide electrolysis cell unit.

Hence, co-electrolysis in e.g. a once-through SOEC unit is conducted by adding steam to the carbon dioxide (first CO2-rich stream) before the SOEC unit in order to produce all or a part of the H2 by H2O electrolysis together with the CO2 electrolysis. Thereby, via once-through operation, it is possible to reach the desired CO/CO2 ratio without risk of carbon formation even where the molar ratio CO/CO2 is higher than 0.6, due to the presence of H2O and H2. Furthermore, rather than providing a separate water feedstock which is introduced separately to the SOEC-unit, the water feedstock, which is steam, is combined directly with the first CC>2-rich stream, e.g. the steam is admixed thereto, thus providing a simpler solution requiring among other things less piping.

In an embodiment according to the second aspect of the invention, the synthesis gas has a molar ratio CO/CO2 greater than 0.2, such as 0.2-0.6, or higher, such as 1 or 2 or higher, such as greater than 2. Hence, in a particular embodiment according to the second aspect of the invention, the synthesis gas has a molar ratio CO/CO2 greater than 2.

The benefits associated with the avoidance of risk of carbon formation at high CO/CO2 molar ratios, i.e. higher than 0.6, such as 1 or 2 or higher e.g. 10, outweigh in this second aspect of the invention the disadvantage of generating methane during the coelectrolysis, due to the reaction of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. While for downstream methanol production, methane is an inert so there is an efficiency loss associated with the generation of methane, for downstream production of for instance methane, such as substitute or synthetic natural gas (SNG), the generation of methane in co-electrolysis may in fact be advantageous. A simpler process and plant for producing the synthesis gas is provided, compared to e.g. implementing a first electrolysis unit for generation CO from a first CO2 and a second electrolysis unit for generating H2 from a water feedstock (water or steam).

By providing once-through operation of e.g. the SOEC unit, there is no recycling of synthesis gas being produced. Thereby there is at least no need for a recycle compressor and thereby also no need for associated valves, pipes and control system. Attendant operating expenses such as electric power needed for the compressor as well as maintenance of the recycle compressor and the other equipment (such as valves and pipes), are thereby saved. Moreover, the need for a CO-enrichment unit such as a PSA unit may also be eliminated, thereby significantly further simplifying the process and plant for producing the synthesis gas.

As in connection with the first aspect of the invention, the term “comprising” may also be interpreted as “comprising only”, i.e. “consists of”.

As in connection with the first aspect of the invention, the term “suitably” or “suitable” is used interchangeably with the term “optionally” or “optional”, respectively, i.e. an optional embodiment.

In an embodiment according to the second aspect of the invention, said synthesis gas has a molar ratio CO/CO2 of 0.2-0.6, and the method further comprises: ii) subjecting the synthesis gas to a reverse water gas shift step (rWGS step).

Hence, the once-through co-electrolysis is conducted with the molar CO/CO2 ratio in the synthesis gas being 0.6 or below, suitably 0.2-0.6, to avoid the risk of carbon formation, followed by, optionally after adding hydrogen, a rWGS step to reach the desired CO/CO2 ratio, e.g. to reach a desired molar ratio CO/CO2 > 2, via the endothermic rWGS reaction CO2 + H2 = CO+H2O.

In a particular embodiment, the rWGS is conducted in an electrically heated WGS reactor (e-rWGS reactor). The carbon footprint of the process is thereby kept low, since apart from e.g. the SOEC unit in step i), the e-rWGS reactor in step ii) is also powered by electricity. For details on e-RWGS, details are provided in applicant’s WO 2021110806.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the once-through co-electrolysis is conducted in a solid oxide electrolysis cell unit and the method comprises by-passing a portion of said first CO2-rich stream prior to passing it through said solid oxide electrolysis cell unit (SOEC-unit). The portion of the first CC>2-rich stream which is not bypassed may thus be combined with steam to generate the combined feed gas stream to the SOEC-unit, as illustrated in appended Fig. 2.

As in connection with the first aspect of the invention, this further enables increased flexibility in the tailoring of the molar ratio CO/CO2 in the synthesis gas, while at the same time enabling a smaller solid oxide electrolysis cell unit compared to where no by-pass is provided.

In an embodiment according to the second aspect of the invention, the method further comprises: iii) converting said synthesis gas into methanol, or synthetic fuels via Fischer Tropsch synthesis (FT synthesis), or methane e.g. substitute natural gas (SNG).

A variety of useful products are thereby obtained from the synthesis gas, all of which may be seen as renewable products or as electro fuels i.e. e-fuels. A synthesis gas with a molar ratio H2/CO of about 2 is suitable for producing synthetic fuels (synfuels) such as jet fuel and diesel via FT-synthesis. A synthesis gas with M of about 2 and molar ratio CO/CO2 > 2, such as about 10 or higher is suitable for producing methanol. The synthesis gas may also be converted to SNG via the methanation reaction whereby carbon dioxide and hydrogen react under production of methane and water: CO ₂ + 4 H ₂ O = CH ₄ + 2 H ₂ O.

In a particular embodiment, the method comprises converting the synthesis gas into methanol, and H2O is added to the synthesis gas corresponding to a molar percentage of 1 .5-3 mol% in the synthesis gas, when the CO2 content in the synthesis gas is below 0.5 mol%. Accordingly, H2O corresponding to a molar percentage between 1.5 and 3 is added to the synthesis gas if the CO2 content has a molar percentage of < 0.5. In other words, in this embodiment, the CO2 content in the synthesis gas is below 0.5 mol%, and H2O is added to synthesis gas corresponding to a molar percentage of 1.5-3 mol% in the synthesis gas.

As explained in connection with the first aspect of the invention, normally the synthesis gas for methanol conversion comprises a mixture of CO, CO2 and H2, as well as H2O. By adding H2O so its content in the synthesis gas is 1.5-3% when the CO2 content is below 0.5 mol%, it is now possible to better counterbalance the impact of not having sufficient CO2 for methanol synthesis. While the molar ratio of CO to CO2 in the synthesis gas is greater than 2, and the higher this ratio the better, it may often be desirable to keep the CO2 content of the synthesis gas at a level not below 0.5 mol%, since methanol synthesis still requires the presence of at least some CO2. The addition of water enables the generation of CO2 via the water gas shift reaction: CO + H2O = H2 + CO ₂ .

As in connection with the first aspect of the invention, there is also envisaged in this second aspect of the invention that the first CO2-rich stream is produced by passing a carbon dioxide-feed stream, suitably carbon dioxide from an external source, through a CO2-cleaning unit for removing impurities, such as Cl, sulfur, Si, As; since this ensures the protection of downstream units, here in particular the subsequent once-through SOEC unit. For instance, COS even in small amounts can cause problems. Normally, the amount of COS in industrial CO2 is below the detection limit, but - in certain instances - COS has been measured in the range 10-20 ppb, which is enough to exert a detrimental effect on the electrolysis unit, resulting in a fast degeneration thereof.

In a third aspect of the invention, there is also provided a method for producing higher alcohols and methane.

Accordingly, there is also provided a method for producing an alcohol, said alcohol being at least one of C1-C5 alcohols, or for producing methane, comprising the steps of: a) providing a first CC>2-rich stream and passing it through a first electrolysis unit for producing a first stream comprising CO and CO2; separating from said first stream comprising CO and CO2: - a second stream comprising CO and CO2, and

- a second CO2-rich stream; and recycling the second CO2-rich stream to said first electrolysis unit; b) providing a water feedstock and passing it through a second electrolysis unit for producing a stream comprising H2, c) combining said second stream comprising CO and CO2 and said stream comprising H2 into a synthesis gas; d) converting said synthesis gas into said alcohol or said methane, e.g. substitute natural gas (SNG); wherein said second stream comprising CO and CO2 has a molar ratio CO/CO2 greater than 2.

The alcohol is for instance ethanol (C2 alcohol), propanol (C3 alcohol), butanol (C4), or a combination thereof.

The methane is for instance provided as substitute natural gas (SNG).

It would be understood, that any other of the embodiments and associated benefits of the first aspect of the invention related to embodiments where once-through coelectrolysis is applicable, may be combined with the second aspect of the invention, or vice-versa. Further, any of the embodiments and associated benefits of the first aspect of the invention may be combined with the third aspect of the invention, or vice-versa.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic method and system producing synthesis gas and further conversion to methanol, according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic method and system for producing synthesis gas and further conversion to useful products, according to an embodiment of the second aspect of the invention.

With reference to Fig. 1 , a carbon dioxide-feed stream such as carbon dioxide from an external source, is passed through a CO2-cleaning unit (not shown) for removing impurities and producing a first CO2-rich stream 1 , T, 1” and then through a first electrolysis unit 10 such as a SOEC-CO2 unit i.e. CC>2-electrolysis in a SOEC unit, which is powered 10’ by a sustainable source such as wind or solar energy, thereby producing a first stream 3 comprising CO and CO2, suitably with a molar ratio CO/CO2 of 0.6 or below for avoiding the risk of carbon formation. This stream is separated, for instance via a PSA unit (not shown), into a second stream 5 comprising CO and CO2 now with a molar ratio CO/CO2 > 2, as well as a second CO2-rich stream 7 which is recycled to the electrolysis unit 10. Separately, a water feedstock 9 passes through a second electrolysis unit 12, such as a PEM-electrolysis unit or SOEC unit, also powered 12’ by a sustainable source, thereby producing a stream 11 comprising H2. Both streams 5 and 11 are combined into, compared to the prior art, a more reactive synthesis gas stream 13 having a module M=(H2-CO2)/(CO+CO2) of e.g. 2.05 or 2.10, while at the same time having a molar ratio CO/CO2 > 2, which is highly suitable for the downstream conversion into methanol. A portion 1” of the first CC>2-rich stream 1 may bypass the first electrolysis unit 10, as depicted in the figure. The synthesis gas 13 enters the methanol section such as methanol loop 14 as is well-known in the art, whereby it is converted to a raw methanol stream 15 now having a molar ratio CH3OH/H2O of 1.3 or higher, i.e. at least 30% less water on a molar basis compared to the prior art, where the CH3OH/H2O ratio is normally about 1. The water in the raw methanol stream 15 is then more expediently removed in a distillation unit arranged downstream (not shown), where this stream is purified or enriched in methanol. The downstream section 14 may also be a section in which synthesis gas 13 is converted to a higher alcohol, i.e. at least one of C1-C5 alcohol, such as ethanol. The downstream section 14 may also be a section in which synthesis gas 13 is converted to methane e.g. SNG.

Now with reference to Fig. 2, a carbon dioxide-feed stream such as carbon dioxide from an external source, is passed through a CC>2-cleaning unit (not shown) for removing impurities and producing a first CC>2-rich stream 101 , 10T, 101”. A water feedstock, here specifically steam 109, is added to form a combined feed gas stream which is then passed to a once-through SOEC unit 110 powered 110’ by a sustainable source such as wind or solar energy. Thereby, once-through co-electrolysis is conducted for producing a synthesis gas stream 105. By once-through co-electrolysis, the desired molar ratio of CO/CO2 in the synthesis gas, such as > 2 is obtained without risk of carbon formation due to the presence of H2O and H2 in the gas. A portion 101” of the first CC>2-rich stream 101 may bypass the once-through SOEC unit 110, as depicted in the figure. The synthesis gas 105 or 107 enters a downstream section 120 such as a methanol section for producing methanol as in Fig. 1, or a Fischer Tropsch section for producing synfuels such as jet fuel or diesel, or section for converting the synthesis gas into methane, e.g. SNG.