Methanol-Based Economy: A Way Forward to Hydrogen

Abstract

The energy is the driver in the economic development of any country. It is expected that the developing countries like India will account for 25% rise in global energy demand by 2040 due to an increase in the per capita income and rapid industrialization. The non-uniform distribution of oil reserves across the world is forcing the movement of crude petroleum, which results in an impact on the environment as well as exchequer of developing countries. The perturbations in the crude oil price, sanctions on Iran and climate change due to the use of petroleum-based fuels are some of the concern for developing countries. Methanol economy can play a breakthrough role in improving the worldwide global energy scenario. It is a single carbon compound and can be produced from a wide variety of fossil fuels and biomass products. Since coal and natural gas are non-renewable, the researchers are working with other resources for producing methanol. The syngas produced from the gasification of biomass can be converted into methanol. Moreover, another interesting method for the production of methanol is capturing of carbon dioxide from industries and power plants into the water by an electrochemical process and converting it into methanol. The electricity for the process can be obtained from renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, etc. This method solves the twin problems of carbon emissions from industries and the use of fossil fuels. The properties of methanol are conducive for use in gasoline engines since it has high octane number and flame speed. Also, as it burns better, the overall engine exhaust emissions are lower. Methanol can also be used as cooking fuel in rural areas which are still dependent upon the wood. Fuel cells can be made to run on methanol wherein the methanol is reformed on-board for production of hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The developing countries can switch to methanol economy, wherein methanol can solve their requirement of fuel for the transportation sector, for domestic cooking and lastly as a raw material for various chemicals production.