Methanol Economy Program
Description
Methanol Economy Program
Description: Methanol, a low carbon, hydrogen carrier fuel, holds immense potential for addressing India's commitment to COP 21. This article explores about Methanol, its benefits, NITI Aayog's 'Methanol Economy' program, focusing on its objectives and its role in reducing the country's oil import bill and greenhouse gas emissions.
About
Methanol
Methanol is a clean burning drop in fuel
which can replace both petrol & diesel in transportation & LPG, Wood,
Kerosene in cooking fuel. It can also replace diesel in Railways, Marine
Sector, Gensets, Power Generation and Methanol based reformers could be the
ideal complement to Hybrid and Electric Mobility.
Benefits
Methanol burns efficiently in all internal
combustion engines, produces no particulate matter, no soot, almost nil SOX and
NOX emissions (Near Zero Pollution).
The gaseous version of Methanol - DME can blend with LPG and can be excellent
substitute for diesel in Large buses and trucks.
METHNAOL 15 (M15) in petrol will reduce
pollution by 33% and diesel replacement by methanol will reduce by more than 80
%.
Methanol can be produced from Natural Gas,
Indian High Ash Coal, Bio-mass, MSW, stranded and flared gases and India can
achieve (through right technology adaptation} to produce Methanol @ Rs.19 a
litre from Indian coal and all other feedstock.
Usage of Methanol around the world
Currently Methanol accounts for almost 9% of transport fuel in China.
They have converted millions of vehicles running on Methanol. China alone
produces 65% of world Methanol and it uses its coal to produce Methanol.
Israel, Italy have adopted the Methanol 15% blending program with Petrol
and fast moving towards M85 & M100. Japan, Korea have extensive Methanol
& DME usage and Australia has adopted GEM fuels (Gasoline, Ethanol &
Methanol) and blends almost 56% Methanol.
Methanol has become the choice of fuel in Marine Sector worldwide and
countries like Sweden are at the forefront of usage.
Large passenger ships carrying more than 1500 people are already running
on 100% Methanol.
African and many Caribbean countries have adopted Methanol cooking fuel
and across the world Gensets and industrial boilers are running on Methanol,
instead of diesel.
NITI Aayog’s road map for Methanol Economy
comprises:
- Production of methanol from Indian high ash
coal from indigenous Technology, in Large quantities and
adopting regional production strategies and produce Methanol in large
quantities @ Rs. 19 a litre. India will adopt C02 capturing
technology to make the use of coal fully environment friendly and our
commitments to COP21.
- Bio-mass, Stranded Gas & MSW for methanol
production. Almost 40% of Methanol Production can be through these feed
stocks.
- Utilization of methanol as well as DME in
transportation – rail, road, marine and defence. Industrial Boilers,
Diesel Gensets & Power generation & Mobile towers are other
applications.
- Utilization of methanol and DME as domestic
cooking fuel - cook stoves. LPG - DME blending program.
- Utilization of methanol in fuel cell
applications in Marine, Gensets and Transportation.
Methanol
Benefits in Transportation sector
With very little modifications to existing
engines (vehicles) and fuel distribution infrastructure, 15% of all vehicle
fuels can be converted to Methanol & Di Methyl Ether (DME). India is
shortly going to implement Methanol 15 % blending program with Petrol and cost
of petrol is expected to come down immediately by 10% and M100 program for
buses and trucks is also to be implemented shortly.
Global engine manufactures like Volvo,
caterpillar, Mercedes and in collaboration with Indian players can manufacture these
engines under the Make in India and will result in big FDI
investments. The development of this sector will bring jobs in the engineering
sector.
Methanol Benefits in Marine Sector
Worldwide due to emission regulations being
implemented stringently by IMO (International Maritime Organisation), marine
sector is shifting to Methanol as fuel of choice. Being a very efficient in
liquid form and practically generating no SOx or NOx, Methanol is much cheaper
than LNG and Bunker / Heavy Oil. Sweden has already about 17 boats,
ferrys, barges and a 1500 passengers cruise ship running on Methanol.
India will convert about 50 Nos of vessels in
the Port sector and various vessels owned by government entities to operate on
Methanol. This opportunity will also be used to standardise all the marine
regulations both sea and inland in parity with International Maritime
Organization rules and with global standards.
Indian Railways consumes about 3 billion
litres a year and the annual diesel bill is in excess of Rs. 15000 Crores. A
Methanol locomotive prototype is being implemented by Indian Railways under a
grant by Department of Science & Technology and once all 6000 diesel
engines are converted to methanol (at very minimal cost of less than 1 crore a
engine), the annual diesel bill can be reduced by 50%. Methanol conversion
program in railways is complimentary to the goals of electrification in
Railways.
Methanol & DME in Cooking fuel program
The cooking fuel program of Methanol liquid
fuel and LPG-DME blending is a low hanging fruit for India. A 20% blending
program with LPG, without any infrastructure modifications would result in an
immediate savings of Rs.6000 Crores a year. Lakhs of rural women will cook
healthy and Methanol supplied in canisters would ensure fuel supply in the
remotest part of North East and Himalayas.
In conclusion, the Methanol Economy emerges as a comprehensive strategy with multifaceted benefits, ranging from economic gains and job creation to environmental sustainability and technological advancements.
