The process combines JM’s methanol and KBR’s proprietary Purifier ammonia technologies. The companies said co-production of methanol and ammonia in a single plant eliminates duplication of equipment compared to two stand-alone plants, reducing capital expenditure. In addition, synergies between the two technologies, such as shared utilities, reduce a plant’s environmental impact and operating costs as well as energy consumption.

The process also provides the flexibility to optimize production and adjust to opportunities within the marketplace, as opposed to separate plants tied to one dedicated product.

“Methanol and ammonia hold great promise for continued energy and fuels transition to a greener world,” said John Gordon, JM’s managing director. “Our partnership with KBR takes ammonia-methanol production to the next step with a single point license that delivers innovative operational agility to meet ever changing market demand.”

Ammonia is primarily used to produce urea for fertilizer, with methanol and its derivatives mainly used to produce formaldehyde, acrylic plastics, synthetic fabrics, adhesives, paints, and other ingredients in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals.

KBR has licensed, engineered or built nearly 250 ammonia plants worldwide since the 1960s while JM has licensed over 100 grassroots methanol plants in more than 45 years.

Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist