Methanol
Methanol is an alcohol widely used in industry, it is in liquid state at room temperature and can be produced from renewable sources achieving carbon neutrality.
Why do we bet on methanol for the energy transition?
- In the transition period until the creation of a universal hydrogen gas distribution infrastructure, the evolution of current systems highlights chemical storage of hydrogen as the most efficient, since gaseous hydrogen currently requires compression and/or liquefaction stages as well as more complex transportation.
- Chemical storage also makes it possible to use much of the existing structure for handling fossil fuels.
- Among the different chemical hydrogen carriers, methanol is considered one of the most suitable due to the high hydrogen content in its molecule (CH3OH) and its low level of toxicity compared to other similar compounds.
- Combining methanol with water increases hydrogen production by 50%. Methanol (CH3OH) provides 4 hydrogens and water (H2O) provides the other two making a total of 6.
Methanol can be generated mainly in 4 ways:
Gray Methanol
Obtained by synthesis from natural gas.
Blue Methanol
Also derived from natural gas, but the carbon generated during its production is captured and stored.
Green Methanol*
Obtained from biomass (livestock, agricultural and forestry waste as well as urban waste (MSW).
e-Methanol*
Produced from captured carbon and renewable energies.
* The last two can be considered carbon neutral and therefore do not contribute to the greenhouse effect and climate change.
CO2 cycle with green methanol
69 g of CO2 are absorbed per MegaJoule of Methanol when manufactured.
When consumed, 69 g of CO2 are emitted per MegaJoule of methanol.
CO2 cycle with e-Methanol
69 g of CO2 are absorbed per MegaJoule of Methanol when manufactured.
When consumed, 69 g of CO2 are emitted per MegaJoule of methanol.
