The principal research objective is development of a process to recover contaminant free reformer feedstock for methanol synthesis from raw landfill gas. Unlike currently available gas-cleaning technologies, one processing step can efficiently and simultaneously adjust the methane/carbon dioxide ratio for methanol synthesis and remove the broad and variable spectrum of trace contaminants present in raw LFG. Measurements taken in Phase I from a pilot scale absorber confirm the inherent ability of liquid carbon dioxide to remove all contaminants except for hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide is reduced to levels sufficient for removal by standard guard beds which are an integral part of a methanol synthesis train. Construction of a LFG to methanol facility based on this process will provide: ? Immediate environmental and safety benefits at and adjacent to landfill sites, ? Secondary environmental benefits derived from vehicles using clean burning methanol or oxygenated gasoline (the MTBE in reformulated gasoline is made from methanol), ? Methanol fuels produced from landfill gas can reduce net greenhouse gases; the organic fraction of municipal solid waste consumes carbon dioxide during its formation which is released during methanol combustion, a ?mini carbon cycle,? ? Reliable local supplies of methanol fuel not subject to long distance transport costs, and which decrease dependence on foreign energy sources, ? Urban methanol produced from landfill gas can augment farm-belt ethanol derived from corn to help increase the supply of oxygenates for reformulated gasoline derived from renewable/recycled sources, ? Increased supplies of low cost methanol in major metropolitan areas for non-fuel uses, such as resin manufacture, which can increase job opportunities.