Massachusetts Institute of Technology spinoff Emvolon and RNG producer Montauk Renewables will work together on a pilot project to recover and convert methane in biogas into green methanol, the companies said in a joint news release Oct. 7.

Emvolon’s technology transforms feed gas that contains methane into syngas, which is then turned into methanol. “This system offers a way for Montauk to monetize otherwise flared tail gas resources at low cost and without expensive pipeline infrastructure, while also eliminating the greenhouse gas emissions these incinerated resources would otherwise generate,” the release states.

The commercial-scale demonstration will take place at Pittsburgh-headquartered Montauk’s renewable gas production site in Humble, Texas. The project is designed to produce up to 15,300 gallons (gal) of green methanol per year and could be scaled to a commercial system capable of producing up to 2.4 MMgal of methanol annually, according to the release.

Montauk specializes in converting biogas from waste into renewable natural gas.

“For more than three decades, we’ve specialized in the recovery and processing of biogas from landfills and other non-fossil fuel sources,” said Montauk CEO Sean McClain. “Working with Emvolon, we’re excited to leverage our expertise as one of the largest U.S. producers of renewable natural gas and, together, continue to enhance the suite of beneficial use products sourced from biogas, and the economic vitality of these environmental stewardship projects.”

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