Aker Kvaerner in new methanol alliance

Three of the methanol industry's major players - Johnson Matthey Catalysts, Davy Process Technology and Aker Kvaerner - are joining forces in a new collaborative alliance known as One Synergy

Three of the methanol industry's major players - Johnson Matthey Catalysts, Davy Process Technology and Aker Kvaerner - are joining forces in a new collaborative alliance known as One Synergy.

The new alliance, launched on 7th December 2004 at the World Methanol Conference in Barcelona, brings together the technology know-how and expertise of each of the companies to offer a fully integrated service for designing and building synthesis gas (for methanol and gas to liquids applications) and methanol plants worldwide.

The three companies behind the One Synergy alliance have over 100 years of cumulative experience in methanol and syngas and to date had major roles in around 40 per cent of current global methanol capacity.

The new team will provide leading edge technology and a stronger, faster, more effective service to the customer.

"Working as One Synergy, we offer comprehensive engineering, construction and commissioning services that can be tailored to match plant size, feedstock types and geographical location anywhere in the world," says Les Guthrie, President, Aker Kvaerner Oil, Gas and Process, Houston, Texas.

"Furthermore, the complementary strengths of our three companies enable customers to move rapidly from technology selection to first revenue.

We can see an abundance of opportunities for us to help clients reduce capital and operating costs through One Synergy's integrated capabilities and ultimately get their products to market more quickly".

"One Synergy's aim is to build on this intimate working relationship between our companies so that developments and improvements to technology can be driven harder whilst continuing our world class record of delivering designs and plants to customers on time and on budget", states Bill Bell, Vice President, Johnson Matthey Catalysts, Billingham, UK.

Davy Process Technology Senior Vice President for business development and marketing - Fred Franklin - adds "One Synergy brings together the strongest combination of methanol technologists and designers in the world today.

We provide the best supply chain for customers' needs and guarantee the results." Current global output of methanol is running at around 35 million US tons (32 million tonnes) per annum and continues to grow, with one industry forecast indicating as much as 20 million US tons (18 million tonnes) per annum of new production capacity expected over the next five years.

Methanol, or methyl alcohol, is primarily manufactured from natural gas (methane) in a variety of proprietary processes.

In the most frequently used route, natural gas is first reacted with steam at moderate pressure and high temperature over a catalyst in a reformer to produce synthesis gas, a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

The synthesis gas is then passed to another reactor holding a differing catalyst, where the carbon oxides and hydrogen are reacted under different process conditions to convert them into methanol and water.

Pure methanol is then produced by separating the water in distillation columns.

The methanol, a volatile colourless liquid, is used as the basis for solvents, antifreeze, fuel additives, and for making formaldehyde and acetic acid, leading to plastics, paints, explosives, plywood and textiles - and many other products.

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