Methanol Potential as an Environmentally Friendly Fuel for Ships
Andrii Panchuk, Myroslav Panchuk, Aleksander Sładkowski, Sviatoslav Kryshtopа, Liudmyla Kryshtopa
Abstract
The article reveals the potential of using methanol as an ecologically clean fuel for ships today to solve the problem of reducing environmental pollution in the marine industry. The advantages of its use in the marine sector are given in comparison with other types of alternative fuels. Features of modernization of diesel engines for operation on methanol fuel are considered. It was established that by 2050, methanol is to occupy about 70% of the target global low-carbon fuel market. The main methods of methanol production are considered. A new methanol production technology was proposed, which involves the joint use of biomass and natural gas as raw materials. The advantage of the technology is that the heat obtained in the process of autothermal reforming during the conversion of natural gas can be used in making synthesis gas from biomass, which will increase the outcome of the finished product by 30% in total due to green methanol, a renewable fuel. New technological approaches and rational use of energy resources make it possible to reduce specific production costs and, under appropriate conditions, obtain methanol at a lower cost than that by carrying out each of the processes separately. The implementation of this technology will establish methanol as an economically efficient alternative fuel that causes less environmental damage and can effectively compete with traditional fuels in marine transport.