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METHANOL AS FUEL

(A) IN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES

(B) IN DIRECT METHANOL FUEL CELL

CH3OH

(C) AS DIMETHYL ETHER - DIESEL FUEL

HOUSEHOLD FUEL

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CO2atmospheric CH2O + HCO2H

CH4natural sources

CH3OH

Energy Storage

Fuels

reduction oxidation

SyntheticHydrocarbons

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Chemical CO2 recycling to methanol and synthetic hydrocarbons production

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1. Direct manufacture from methane (natural gas) without syn-gas, chemical recycling of carbon dioxide of industrial exhausts and eventually of the atmosphere to methanol using all energy sources (alternatives and atomic) and water as the hydrogen source

2. Convenient and safe energy storage & Transportation (Compared to the Hydrogen Economy)

3. Use of methanol and/or dimethyl ether as transportation fuel (internal combustion engines, fuel cells) substitute for natural gas

4. Assured source even beyond the era of readily available oil and gas for present and future industrial uses

5. Conversion to ethylene and/or propylene and subsequent production of synthetic hydrocarbons, their products and materials

6. The methanol economy can free mankind from dependence on diminishing natural fossil fuels. At the same time recycling excess CO2 from the atmosphere will mitigate man made effects of global warming.

The "Methanol Economy"®

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Pt-C

3H2O

3OH-

Anodic Reaction:

Electrooxidation of Methanol

Overall Reaction:

CO2 + 3H2O

Cathodic Reaction:

CH3OH + H2OPt-Ru (1:1)-C

CO2 + 6 H+ + 6 e-

3/2O2 + 3 H+ + 6 e-

CH3OH + 3/2O2 + H2O

3OH- + 3 H+

Eo= 0.006 V

Eo= 1.22 V

Ecell = 1.214 VTheoretical

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SolarEnergy

SolarArray

o

o

oo

aqueous CH3OHor HCOOH + O2

CO2 + H2O

ElectrochemicalSyntheticConverter

Liquid-FeedOrganic Fuel Cell

CO2 + 2 H2O CH3OH + 3/2 O2

or CO2 + 2 H2O HCOOH + O2

Overall Reactions

Standard Reduction Potentials Eo vs SHE

CO2 + 2H + 2e HCOOH - 0.11 V

CO2 + 4H + 4e CH2O + H2O - 0.028 V

CO2 + 6H + 6e CH3OH + H2O + 0.031 V

Regenerative Fuel Cell System

CO2 HCOOH HCOH CH3OH

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