Direct CO2-to-renewable methanol: Outlook, performance and optimization approach

Tountas, Athanasios A.; Peng, X. S.; Xu, Yang; Song, Rui; Wang, Lu; Maravelias, Christos T.; Ozin, Geoffrey A.; Sain, Mohini

doi:10.1016/j.susmat.2023.e00630

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…In particular, methanol production methods using carbon emissions from industries have been extensively studied. − Renewable methanol offers significant advantages over fossil fuels in carbon emissions reduction. Depending on the feedstock and conversion process, it can achieve carbon emission reductions ranging from 65 to 95%. − This places renewable methanol among the most promising alternatives to gasoline, diesel, coal, and methane, with one of the highest potential reduction rates. , Earlier research has also shown some of the main challenges and opportunities along potential supply chains of renewable methanol, especially for maritime shipping focused on biomethanol . Furthermore, pure methanol combustion generates minimal emissions of sulfur oxides (SO x ), nitrogen oxides (NO x ), and particulate matter, making it an environmentally favorable option. , …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Renewable Methanol from Industrial Carbon Emissions: A Dead End or Sustainable Way Forward?

Sankaran

2023

ACS Omega

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As the urgency to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 intensifies, industries face an imperative to reimagine their role in the fight against climate change. One promising avenue arises from the realization that industrial emissions, often deemed pollutants, can be the building blocks of a circular economy strategy. By directly utilizing these carbon emissions as raw materials, we can produce netzero or low-carbon fuels, carbonates, polymers, and chemicals. At the heart of this paradigm shift lies the production of carbon-neutral methanol from industrial flue gas�a technically viable approach that has gained significant momentum in recent years. The conditions under which such a circular economy model for producing renewable methanol becomes commercially sustainable based on realistic constraints, however, are not sufficiently explored in the existing literature. This paper fills this gap by investigating if and when net-zero methanol production from industrial flue gas will be a sustainable long-term strategy. Using detailed technoeconomic modeling of integrated hydrogen and methanol production ecosystems for two production capacities, I will evaluate 32 practical production scenarios using realistic regulatory, economic, and market conditions. Even though renewable methanol from industrial emissions can be a viable technical solution to address climate change and global warming, I will show why this strategy will be commercially feasible only under favorable economic, regulatory, and market conditions. Furthermore, I will demonstrate how the market price of methanol and the cost of carbon-free electricity critically influence the commercial feasibility of this approach. When these two parameters are unfavorable, I will show why other factors, namely, carbon credits and byproduct (oxygen) sales, will not be sufficient to create an economically sustainable circular economy of renewable methanol from industrial emissions. Finally, I will provide arguments on why one has to think through stakeholder cooperation and public−private partnerships to mitigate various project risks. Despite the importance of this topic, it is not sufficiently covered in the available scientific literature. To advance policy and regulatory frameworks in this area, I strongly believe that further research and development is needed. I will also share perspectives on regulatory derisking mechanisms, which can help align regulations with private investors' preferences. With the analyses and arguments showcased in this paper, I will firmly assert that without favorable conditions, strong partnerships, and stakeholder cooperation, the production of renewable net-zero methanol from industrial emissions risks becoming a dead-end strategy.

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