Promote the application of modified methanol fuel

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Promoting a revolution in the oil and gas fuel industry: Looking at the history of methanol, wine and other alcoholic beverages consumed by people in ancient times actually made indirect use of drinks containing methanol. In the 17th century, the French chemist Boyle discovered methanol by purifying the wood tar obtained from the dry distillation of wood. In 1834, French chemists Dumais and Pictet determined the elemental composition of methanol and described in detail its properties and characteristics. Since the 20th century, methanol has been widely used in industrial production and daily life, demonstrating great advantages in the chemical industry. During World War II, methanol gasoline was used as a fuel for vehicles. 　　Methanol is widely used around the world today. Methanol is the most likely alternative energy source after the end of the petroleum era. Methanol in China has advantages in terms of resources, technology, enterprises, and promotion. Shanxi Province is one of the provinces most active in promoting methanol fuel, and modified methanol fuel is highly valuable for the energy transition in this province. 　　Our country is a major producer and technological leader in methanol production, with coal-based methanol production being the main method. The development of methanol vehicles and fuels can generally be divided into 4 stages: The first stage is the preliminary exploration phase. 　　From the 1970s to 1998, standards such as \"Alcohol-based Liquid Fuels\" and \"Alcohol-based Domestic Fuel Stoves\" were issued. 　　The second phase is the organized trial and verification phase. From 1998 to 2001, a methanol vehicle demonstration project was implemented in Shanxi Province. 　　The third stage is the regional demonstration application phase. In 2001, Shanxi Province was designated as a demonstration province for the promotion and application of methanol fuel for vehicles. In 2009, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued the \"Notice on Carrying Out Pilot Projects for Methanol-Fueled Vehicles.\" 　　The fourth stage is the market-based application phase. In 2019, eight ministries and commissions including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued the \"Guiding Opinions on Promoting the Use of Methanol-powered Vehicles in Certain Areas.\" 　　From its early unconscious use to industrial mass production, and then to its diverse applications today, the history of methanol reflects the deepening understanding and utilization of chemical substances by humanity. Today, methanol is not only an important chemical raw material but also a key element in low-carbon development and energy transition. 　　The future of methanol has arrived. Currently, breakthroughs have been achieved in the hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to produce methanol. On January 27, 2020, the world’s first large-scale project for the synthesis of liquid solar fuel was successfully tested, and it passed evaluation on October 15, 2020. On February 21, 2023, the world’s first 100,000-ton green and low-carbon methanol project was officially put into operation in Anyang City. In terms of methanol applications, there are two different paths. 　　First approach: Modify the burner to overcome the side effects of methanol. 　　When used as a fuel, methanol has drawbacks such as a low energy density and calorific value, corrosiveness to metals, swelling effect on rubber, poor lubrication properties at high temperatures, and difficulties in cold starting. Among these, the most prominent issues are metal corrosion and rubber swelling; therefore, it is necessary to modify the burner to overcome the side effects of methanol. 　　The second approach: using modified methanol technology to eliminate the side effects of methanol. 　　The technical mechanism of modified methanol involves the use of modifiers to form a coating around methanol molecules, thereby changing methanol from a polar substance to a non-polar one. These modifiers prevent the oxidation of methanol to form formic acid, thus overcoming the problem of methanol’s corrosive effects. They also make it difficult for methanol molecules to penetrate into the macromolecules of plastic materials, addressing the issue of methanol-induced swelling in plastics. By combining with methanol, these modifiers significantly lower its flash point, solving problems such as difficulty in starting engines using methanol at low temperatures, as well as issues like water absorption leading to stratification and poor lubrication properties at high temperatures. 　　In terms of its applications, modified methanol fuel can be widely used in transportation, industry, and domestic sectors, and can almost replace all traditional fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. 　　Modified methanol fuel offers significant clean and low-carbon benefits. According to the summary report on the trial of modified methanol fuel units: the vehicle’s driving power is similar to that of gasoline, pollutant emissions are reduced by over 70% compared to gasoline, and carbon deposition is significantly improved. According to relevant studies, burning modified methanol can reduce carbon emissions by about 15% compared to burning regular methanol. 　　At present, China has issued four group standards: \"Modified Methanol Fuel for Industrial Use,\" \"Methanol Fuel for Civil Use,\" \"Modified Methanol Fuel for Spark-Ignition Engines,\" and \"Modified Methanol Fuel for Compression-Ignition Engines.\" More than 10 provinces and regions across the country are promoting the use of modified methanol fuel. 　　In my opinion, the advantages of promoting the use of modified methanol fuel are evident. In the short term, it is possible to leverage existing resource advantages by using coke oven gas and low-quality coal to produce methanol, thereby further enhancing energy security. At the same time, it can also replace gasoline and diesel. Modified methanol fuel is highly compatible with existing combustion systems; there is no need to modify gas stations or gasoline/diesel vehicles. It can be mixed with gasoline and diesel in any proportion, and it offers particularly significant environmental benefits in terms of reducing air pollution. Furthermore, modified methanol fuel technology is mature and cost-effective, being cheaper than gasoline. In the long term, modified methanol fuel can be synthesized from green hydrogen and carbon dioxide, enabling recycling. 　　Therefore, some experts recommend promoting the use of modified methanol fuel to drive a revolution in the oil and gas fuel industry. 　　To promote the wider use of modified methanol fuel, experts have put forward five suggestions: First, strengthen organizational coordination. It is recommended that the **National Development and Reform Commission** and the **Energy Bureau** take the lead, with relevant departments actively participating in providing support. 　　Second, clarify the strategic approach. It is recommended to start with pilot projects, combine specific areas with the broader context, proceed step by step, and make rapid progress in small steps. 　　Third is to regulate market order. In accordance with **group standard regulations, methanol-based gasoline and diesel storage enterprises are allowed to produce and sell modified methanol. 　　Fourth, strengthen efforts in scientific and technological research. It is recommended to develop modified methanol fuels for various applications, and to support pilot projects for producing hydrogen from green electricity and manufacturing methanol from carbon dioxide. 　　Fifth, encourage the participation of central state-owned enterprises. Large enterprises, central state-owned enterprises, and companies engaged in the research and development of modified methanol technologies are encouraged to collaborate.