Expert: Conditions are ripe for the widespread adoption of methanol fuel

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Source: Xi’an Evening News “Vigorously developing methanol fuel can not only fundamentally solve China’s energy shortage problem but also bring about positive social benefits.” ”Speaking of the advantages of methanol gasoline, Huang Fenglin, a well-known domestic expert who has long been researching clean fuels, membrane separation, as well as the prevention and control of pollutants in refineries, and a professor at the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Xi’an Shiyou University, said. He believes that, from the perspectives of **economic development and the need to ensure energy strategic security, the conditions for the widespread adoption of methanol fuel are now ripe, and its rapid development is imperative. 　　Shaanxi Province was the first to issue local standards. As a major energy province in China, Shaanxi Province has always been at the forefront of research and promotion of clean energy, contributing its own efforts to the sustainable development of an **ecological economy. It is understood that Shaanxi Province was one of the first provinces in the country to issue local standards for methanol gasoline containing M15 and M25 (where M refers to the methanol content), and it has also taken a proactive approach to conducting research on fuel technologies involving high proportions of M85 methanol gasoline. In 2004, the Shaanxi Provincial Quality and Technical Supervision Bureau issued local standards for M15 and M25 methanol gasoline for use in vehicles, as well as for methanol as a fuel for vehicles. This made Shaanxi the second province in China to establish such standards for methanol gasoline, after Shanxi; in terms of the proportion of methanol allowed in the mixture, the M25 standard with a higher proportion was the first of its kind in the country. 　　In addition, the M15 and M25 methanol gasoline additives, as well as the key application technologies for M85 methanol gasoline, developed independently by Chang’an University, have overcome the technical barriers that have hindered the development of methanol gasoline. They have solved a range of problems related to the mixing of methanol and gasoline, as well as issues concerning corrosion resistance and swelling resistance. As a result, fuel consumption costs are reduced and pollutant emissions are decreased, which is in line with **energy and industrial policies. According to statistics, 18 provinces across the country are currently engaged in the research, development, and promotion of methanol fuel and methanol-powered vehicles. 　　Methanol can replace petroleum resources. \"Methanol gasoline is an inexpensive and clean fuel for vehicles; it not only has a high octane rating and strong performance, but its raw materials are also readily available, which makes it significant for promoting more thorough development and utilization of energy resources in China.\" ”Huang Fenglin said that methanol can be derived from coal, natural gas, coke oven gas, coalbed methane, and coal chemical enterprises. Statistical data show that, of China’s total proven (technically exploitable) resources of conventional energy, coal accounts for 87.4%, oil for 2.8%, natural gas for 0.3%, and hydropower for 9.5%. “Abundant coal, scarce oil, and limited gas are the basic characteristics of China’s energy landscape. Methanol can be extracted from coal, and its resource availability is very high, making it a viable alternative to precious oil resources. ”　　It is understood that in recent years, the production rate of methanol in our country has grown very rapidly. According to incomplete statistics, there are currently 88 methanol projects planned in China, with a combined production capacity of approximately 48.5 million tons per year. Among them, there are 14 projects for producing methanol from natural gas, with an output of 7.7 million tons per year; 11 projects for producing methanol from coke oven gas, with an output of 3.05 million tons per year; and 63 projects for producing methanol from coal, with an output of 37.75 million tons per year. After several years, the total production capacity of methanol projects in China could reach 63.95 million tons per year, providing the necessary resources for the development of methanol gasoline. 　　Methanol-blended gasoline produces fewer conventional emissions. Huang Fenglin said that based on long-term test results and practical usage, methanol gasoline with a blending ratio of 15% or less (i.e., M15 and lower grades) can be used directly without any modifications to the engine. Methanol gasoline with higher blending ratios (M85 and M100) allows for a greater degree of substitution for regular gasoline, results in lower usage costs, and also produces fewer conventional emissions. 　　He gave the example that methanol gasoline has a high octane rating; its octane level is higher than that of conventional gasoline with the same grade. In addition, during the formulation of methanol gasoline, components such as detergents are added to enhance performance, which greatly improves the power output of motor vehicles. Methanol contains no benzene, olefins, or sulfur; upon combustion it primarily produces water and carbon dioxide, with very low levels of hydrocarbons emitted, far less than the carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons found in gasoline and diesel exhausts, making it a typical clean alternative fuel. In addition, methanol is highly soluble in water and decomposes naturally rapidly; therefore, in the event of spills during storage, transportation, or refueling, it does not cause pollution to the environment or soil. 　　Huang Fenglin said that using methanol-based gasoline as fuel can also save a large amount of petroleum resources, thereby generating substitution benefits. Moreover, the conventional pollutant emissions from methanol-based gasoline (especially those with a high proportion of methanol) are much lower than those from regular gasoline, resulting in significant emission reduction benefits.