Senior Process / Technology Engineer - Methanol Synthesis

About the role

A leading Indian chemicals and fertilisers company is undertaking a bio-methanol production initiative and needs a consultant with specialised expertise in methanol synthesis technologies and process engineering. The consultant works independently to review and challenge the proposed methanol synthesis route, assess technology and licensor options and validate critical process design parameters, supporting the client's project team in evaluating technical feasibility, optimising process efficiency and choosing the right technology.

Key responsibilities

• Review and critically assess the proposed methanol synthesis process route for the bio-methanol facility.
• Validate material and energy balances, methanol yield, recycle ratios, carbon efficiency, catalyst performance, heat recovery and utility consumption.
• Evaluate methanol synthesis technologies, reactor and catalyst systems and licensor options, supporting technology selection and key technical trade-offs.
• Review critical design parameters for synthesis reactors, compressors, separators, purge-gas systems and methanol distillation units.
• Assess integration with upstream syngas systems and plant utilities, including heat integration, catalyst protection, operability and turndown requirements.
• Review CAPEX/OPEX assumptions and feasibility conclusions, and provide technical inputs for subsequent FEED and RFP requirements.

Required profile

• B.E. / B.Tech in Chemical Engineering or Chemical Technology.
• Typically 20+ years of relevant process engineering or project engineering experience; the listing also mentions Senior (11-15 years) and Expert (15+ years) levels.
• Experience in process design, feasibility studies, FEED/basic engineering and technology or licensor evaluation.
• Prior experience with an owner organisation, PMC, technology licensor or senior EPC engineering team is preferred.
• Experience with biomass-based or gasification-based methanol production, and with methanol technology licensors, EPC companies or chemical process engineering organisations, is an added advantage.

Required skills

• Methanol synthesis, syngas compression, synthesis reactors and catalysts, recycle loops and methanol purification/distillation.
• Process engineering, chemical engineering, project engineering, process design and process management.
• Feasibility analysis and automation feasibility.

The contract runs up to 6 months, with potential for extension depending on project requirements, and is based in Delhi.