Maritime methanol

Methanol Production Calculator

It is light, colourless, volatile, and flammable liquid at ambient conditions. It is water-soluble and biodegradable.

Chemically, methanol is the simplest alcohol, and its formula is CH3OH. It is water-soluble and biodegradable. It can be used for many applications, such as fuel additive or fuel precursor, but also in the production of intermediate for many industrial chemicals.
To give an overview of methanol production and its origin, almost the entire amount of it comes from fossil fuels, and less than 1% is based on the use of renewable sources and to be considered as such, all feedstocks used need to be of renewable origin. Low-carbon methanol can be produced in various ways, with each method aiming to minimise CO2 emissions during production.

Here are some of the main approaches:

Routes for the production of low-carbon methanol

Renewable energies and electrolysis

Hydrogen from renewable energies: Renewable hydrogen can be produced through the electrolysis of water using renewable energies (e.g. wind, solar) to generate electricity. This hydrogen is then converted to methanol using CO and CO2. The CO / CO2 required can be obtained from industrial waste gases (CCU-Carbon Capture and Utilization) or CO2 can be obtained directly from the air (DAC-direct air capture).

Biomass based processes for so-called “Biomethanol”

Biomass gasification: biomass (e.g. wood waste, agricultural residues) is converted into synthesis gas (a mixture of hydrogen and carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide) in a gasification process. This synthesis gas can then be synthesised to methanol.
Biochemical conversion: Organic materials such as agricultural waste or algae are converted into methanol through fermentation processes. This method utilises biodegradable raw materials and has the advantage that it can be CO2-neutral, as the CO2 released during combustion has been absorbed from the atmosphere by the plants.

Methanol Production Calculator

Methanol production capacity (t/d) ?Can be selected within the range of 100 to 600 t/d.
100
Inert content in CO₂ (vol%) ?Can be selected within the range of 1…15% according to typical biogenic CO₂ sources.
1
Methanol grade ?Grades according to ISO 6583:2024. MMA/MMB contain 50 ppmwt EtOH, MMC contains 150 ppmwt EtOH.
Number of synthesis stages ?Can be selected within the range of 1 to 4 stages. Each stage comprises reactor, interchanger and Methanol condensation.
Operating hours per year ?The operating time at the load defined. Maximum 8760 hours per year.
8000
Load (%) ?Can be selected between 30 and 100%. While feedstock consumption and Methanol production scale nearly proportionally, utilities do not scale in the same manner.
100
H₂ cost (€ / kg) ?According to location and project.
CO₂ cost (€ / t) ?According to location and project.
Power cost (€ / MWh) ?According to location and project.
Heat cost (€ / MWh) ?According to location and project.
Cooling cost (€ / MWh) ?According to location and project.
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Methanol feedstock & utility cost (specific) (€/t)-
H₂ cost (total) (M€/a)-
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