Methanol fuel production, utilization, and techno-economy: a review

Abstract

Climate change and the unsustainability of fossil fuels are calling for cleaner energies such as methanol as a fuel. Methanol is one of the simplest molecules for energy storage and is utilized to generate a wide range of products. Since methanol can be produced from biomass, numerous countries could produce and utilize biomethanol. Here, we review methanol production processes, techno-economy, and environmental viability. Lignocellulosic biomass with a high cellulose and hemicellulose content is highly suitable for gasification-based biomethanol production. Compared to fossil fuels, the combustion of biomethanol reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 80%, carbon dioxide emissions by up to 95%, and eliminates sulphur oxide emission. The cost and yield of biomethanol largely depend on feedstock characteristics, initial investment, and plant location. The use of biomethanol as complementary fuel with diesel, natural gas, and dimethyl ether is beneficial in terms of fuel economy, thermal efficiency, and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Zinc oxide–copper model nanocatalysts for CO2 hydrogenation: morphology and interface effects

“…9,10 Indeed, methanol is not only a key reactant in the synthesis of various important chemicals, such as olefins, 11 aromatics, 12 and dimethyl ether, 13,14 but it is also a highly demanded source of liquid fuel. 15,16 CH 3 OH presents the best compromise as a fuel, since it has a high volumetric energy density (15.9 MJ L −1 ) and low carbon content.…”

Hydrogen Activation with Ru-PN3P Pincer Complexes for the Conversion of C1 Feedstocks

“…The efficient production of green hydrogen and its conversion to renewable liquid energy carriers such as formic acid or methanol, so-called power-to-liquids (P2L) processes, are gaining increased interest due to the urgent need for sustainable fuels. − Green hydrogen refers to H 2 obtained from a renewable source, for example, through water electrolysis using renewable electricity or from the gasification of biomass. Hydrogenations of C 1 feedstocks such as CO or CO 2 are important in this context as this can give access to a range of green chemicals, including HCO 2 H, MeOH, and hydrocarbons. − The hydrogenation of CO is currently applied in several large-scale chemical processes such as the Fischer–Tropsch process and the production of MeOH (110 Mt per annum), all based on heterogeneous catalysis. Likewise, the industrial hydrogenation of CO 2 to CH 4 or MeOH also utilizes heterogeneous catalysis.…”

Multi-Functionality of Methanol in Sustainable Catalysis: Beyond Methanol Economy

“…In the 1990s, George A. Olah, a Nobel prize laureate in chemistry, advocated a “Methanol Economy” concept. According to this proposal, methanol was a suggested future economy in which methanol and dimethyl ether replace fossil fuels for energy storage, ground transportation fuel, and raw material for synthetic hydrocarbons and their products. ,− The importance of the methanol economy is that it can reduce our dependency on fossil fuels and their harmful effects on the environment. − Methanol also offers an alternative to the other proposed hydrogen economy, though this concept is not exclusive . Methanol and hydrogen are potential alternatives to fossil fuels for energy storage and transportation.…”