Methanol synthesis is an exothermic reaction influenced by both temperature
and pressure. The equilibrium concentration of methanol in this reaction
increases with pressure (in the 50–300 atm range), but reduces with temperature
(in the 240–400 °C range). In the absence of a suitable catalyst, the actual yield
is very low, so catalysts based on Zn, Cu, Al, and Cr are used.
Syngas, which is the feedstock for methanol production, can be produced
from biomass through either thermal or hydrothermal gasification. One of the
most commonly used commercial methods involves natural gas (CH4). This
process uses the steam reforming of methane as shown in the next equation