Methanol Production

Table of Contents

Context

NTPC has developed Indigenous Catalyst for Methanol production from Flue Gas CO2.

About Methanol

Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is a colourless, volatile liquid with a chemical formula of CH₃OH.
It is the simplest alcohol and is produced primarily from natural gas. It can also be derived from biomass and coal.
Chemical Properties:
- Methanol is a polar solvent and can participate in various chemical reactions, including oxidation and esterification.
- It burns cleanly, producing carbon dioxide and water.
Uses of Methanol:
- Transportation Fuel: Methanol can be used as a fuel in internal combustion engines and is considered a potential alternative to gasoline. It can be blended with gasoline or used in dedicated methanol vehicles.
- Fuel Cells: Methanol is used in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs), which convert chemical energy directly into electrical energy, offering applications in portable power sources and electric vehicles.
- Chemical Feedstock: Methanol serves as a key raw material in the production of formaldehyde, acetic acid, and various plastics.
- Solvent: Used in the manufacturing of paints, varnishes, and adhesives due to its solvent properties.
- Antifreeze: Commonly used in windshield washer fluids and as an antifreeze agent.

Methanol Economy

NITI Aayog’s roadmap for India’s Methanol Economy aims to replace 10% of crude imports with methanol by 2030. This initiative aims to reduce India’s fuel bill by 30% and create nearly 5 million jobs.