A comprehensive study on production of methanol from wind energy

• Published in: Environmental technology & innovation 2022-11, Vol.28, p.102589, Article 102589
• Main Authors: Sharma, Ishanee, Shah, Vrutang, Shah, Manan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: CO2 capture; feasibility; future scope; Methanol; Wind power
• ISSN: 2352-1864; 2352-1864
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eti.2022.102589

Methanol is a promising new alternative fuel that emits significantly less carbon dioxide than gasoline. Traditionally, methanol was produced by gasifying natural gas and coal. Syn-Gas is created by converting coal and natural gas. After that, the Syn-Gas is converted to methanol. Alternative renewable energy-to-methanol conversion processes have been extensively researched in recent years due to the traditional methanol production process’s high carbon footprint. Using an electrolysis cell, wind energy can electrolyze water to produce hydrogen. Carbon dioxide is a gas that can be captured from the atmosphere and industrial processes. Carbon dioxide and hydrogen are combusted in a reactor to produce methanol and water; the products are then separated using a distillation column. Although this route is promising, it has significant cost and efficiency issues due to the low efficiency of the electrolysis cells and high manufacturing costs. Additionally, carbon dioxide capture is an expensive process. Despite these constraints, it is still preferable to store excess wind energy in the form of methanol rather than sending it directly to the grid. This process is significantly more carbon-efficient and resource-efficient than conventional processes. Researchers have proposed and/or simulated a variety of wind power methods for methanol processes. This paper discusses these processes. The feasibility of wind energy for methanol production and its future potential is also discussed in this paper. [Display omitted] •Explain use of wind energy for Methanol Production.•Discuss production of Methanol form CO2 and H2.•Authors have discussed feasibility and future scope of wind power to methanol process.