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U.S. Department of Energy
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The Carnol process for methanol production and utilization with reduced CO{sub 2} emissions

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10174437· OSTI ID:10174437

A first order comparative mass and energy analysis is made of alternative processes for the production and utilization of methanol. Conventional reforming of natural gas with steam and CO{sub 2} indicates a yield of approximately 1 mol of methanol per mol of methane and a net emission of 1 mol of CO{sub 2} per mol of methanol. Three new processes called - Carnol I, Carnol II and Carnol III utilize CO{sub 2} as a feedstock in conjunction with hydrogen produced from the thermal decomposition of methane can reduce CO{sub 2} emission compared to the conventional process by 35%, 88%, and 100% respectively while reducing methanol production by 11%, 35%, and 39% respectively. The carbon from methane decomposition can be sequestered or sold as a commodity. The methanol can be used in the transportation sector as an alternative efficient fuel. A preliminary economic estimate indicates the equivalent cost for reduction of CO{sub 2} to be less than estimates for removal, recovery, and disposal of CO{sub 2} from power plant stack gas. The Carnol process leverages the CO{sub 2} reduction both from central fossil fuel fired power plants and the transportation sector. The Carnol process assists in the reduction of CO{sub 2} emission from an otherwise impossible collection of CO{sub 2} from highly dispersed heat engine and small scale fuel users.

Research Organization:
Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-76CH00016
OSTI ID:
10174437
Report Number(s):
BNL--60575; CONF-940426--3; ON: DE94016808
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English