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The Carnol process for methanol production and utilization with reduced CO{sub 2} emissions

Book ·
OSTI ID:182862
;  [1]
  1. Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (United States)

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 1, Carnol 2, and Carnol 3 utilize CO{sub 2} as a feed stock 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.

OSTI ID:
182862
Report Number(s):
CONF-940426--; ISBN 0-923204-11-3
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English