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Explore the potentials of methanol and hydrogen as alternative fuel sources, compare their production, storage, distribution, and impact on the environment. Discover the benefits of fuel cells and make informed choices for the sustainable future of energy consumption.
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Methanol Economy Hydrogen Economy vs. Ryan Morrison ChE 384 11/20/2006
Outline • Introduction • Hydrogen • Production, Storage, Distribution • Methanol • Production, Storage, Distribution • Fuel Cells • Conclusions
Introduction • Persistent fossil fuel burning • Adverse effects on the climate (global warming) • World needs to dig itself out • Will cost an arm & a leg • Hydrogen/Methanol are proposed solutions
Hydrogen • Infinitely abundant • Ideally clean burning fuel • No CO2 with H2O as a by-product
Hydrogen Production • Worldwide production is 50 million tonnes per year • Steam reforming of fossil fuels • Produces CO2, so potential for capture/sequestration • Electrolysis of water • Highly energy intensive, but highly efficient
Hydrogen Storage • Compressed H2 in carbon fiber tanks • 5,000 – 10,000 psi • Liquid H2 • -253 oC cooling required, or else boil-off • Absorption • Solid state uptake/release
Hydrogen Storage • Compressed H2 in carbon fiber tanks • 5,000 – 10,000 psi • Liquid H2 • -253 oC cooling required, or else boil-off • Absorption • Solid state uptake/release
Hydrogen Distribution • Centralized & decentralized locations • Both have their differences in CO2 capture, transportation methods, and safety • Common ground is magnitude of capital investment
Methanol • Liquid fuel • Precursor to ethylene/propylene
Methanol Production • Worldwide production is 32 million tonnes per year • Steam reforming of fossil fuels • Syngas reacts with H2 • Direct conversion from CO2 • From captured flue gas or atmosphere
Methanol Storage & Distribution • Current filling stations and storage vessels can be re-used or retrofit • Only minor changes to materials of construction or coatings
Fuel Cells • Uses chemical energy to produce electricity directly • Low operating temperature, volume, weight • High efficiency • Methanol fuel cells are more reasonable now until H2 issues are settled
Conclusions • Hydrogen has too many issues • Methanol would be a good substitute fuel for gasoline • Neither are 100% proven, so hybrid devices will control markets • Fate of methanol or hydrogen is coupled with fate of fuel cells