(227d) Carbon Capture and Conversion: The Methanol EconomyR

Methanol is preferable hydrogen gas for energy storage and transportation. It is a drop-in fuel for IC engines, and for direct oxidation fuel cells. Dimethyl ether derived from methanol is a high cetane diesel substitute and also could replace liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Methanol is a convenient feedstock to produce, hydrogen, ethylene and propylene. Chemical recycling of excess carbon dioxide formed from human activities, natural and industrial sources, or even from the air can be converted to methanol via capture followed by reductive conversion with hydrogen. Any available energy source (preferably alternative energies such as solar, wind, geothermal, atomic, etc.) can provide the needed energy for generating hydrogen. The production of renewable methanol is already being demonstrated in the George Olah Methanol plant in Iceland by Carbon Recycling International employing geothermal energy. The Methanol Economy concept is expected to solve the energy and material problems of the world in the long run and at the same time address the issue of global warming due to increased CO₂ emissions by excessive fossil fuel use by efficient “Carbon Neutral Energy Cycles.” Our recent efforts on carbon capture and conversion will be discussed.