Integration of Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells in Methanol Synthesis

A method for synthesizing hydrocarbonaceous compounds, the method comprising:

• introducing a fuel stream comprising a reformable fuel into an anode of a molten carbonate fuel cell, an internal reforming element associated with the anode, or a combination thereof;
• introducing a cathode inlet stream comprising CO2 and O2 into a cathode of the fuel cell;
• generating electricity within the molten carbonate fuel cell;
• generating an anode exhaust comprising H2, CO, and CO2;
• separating CO2 from at least a portion of the anode exhaust to produce an anode effluent gas stream;
• reacting at least a portion of the anode effluent gas stream in the presence of a methanol synthesis catalyst under effective conditions for forming methanol to produce at least one methanol-containing stream and one or more streams comprising gaseous or liquid products;
• and
• recycling at least a portion of the one or more streams comprising gaseous or liquid products to form at least a portion of a cathode inlet stream.