Hydrogen
Methanol
vs.
Economy
Economy
Ryan Morrison
ChE 384
11/20/2006
1
Outline


Introduction
Hydrogen


Methanol



Production, Storage, Distribution
Production, Storage, Distribution
Fuel Cells
Conclusions
2
Introduction

Persistent fossil fuel burning
Adverse effects on the climate (global warming)

World needs to dig itself out



Will cost an arm & a leg
Hydrogen/Methanol are proposed solutions
3
Hydrogen


Infinitely abundant
Ideally clean burning fuel

No CO2 with H2O as a by-product
Boiling Point
-252.9 oC
Liquid Density @ -253 oC
70.8 kg/m3
Flammability Limits
Ignition Energy
4 – 74 %
0.005 milli calorie
4
Hydrogen Production

Worldwide production is 50 million tonnes
per year

Steam reforming of fossil fuels


Produces CO2, so potential for
capture/sequestration
Electrolysis of water

Highly energy intensive, but highly efficient
5
Hydrogen Storage

Compressed H2 in carbon fiber tanks


Liquid H2


5,000 – 10,000 psi
-253 oC cooling required, or else boil-off
Absorption

Solid state uptake/release
6
7
Hydrogen Storage

Compressed H2 in carbon fiber tanks


Liquid H2


5,000 – 10,000 psi
-253 oC cooling required, or else boil-off
Absorption

Solid state uptake/release
8
Hydrogen Distribution

Centralized & decentralized locations

Both have their differences in CO2 capture,
transportation methods, and safety

Common ground is magnitude of capital
investment
9
Methanol


Liquid fuel
Precursor to ethylene/propylene
Boiling Point
64.6 oC
Liquid Density
791 kg/m3
Latent Heat of
Vaporization
Flammability Limits
9.2 kcal/mol
7 – 36 %
10
Methanol Production

Worldwide production is 32 million tonnes per
year

Steam reforming of fossil fuels


Syngas reacts with H2
Direct conversion from CO2

From captured flue gas or atmosphere
11
Methanol Storage & Distribution

Current filling stations and storage vessels can
be re-used or retrofit

Only minor changes to materials of
construction or coatings
12
Fuel Cells




Uses chemical energy to produce electricity
directly
Low operating temperature, volume, weight
High efficiency
Methanol fuel cells are more reasonable now
until H2 issues are settled
13
Conclusions




Hydrogen has too many issues
Methanol would be a good substitute fuel for
gasoline
Neither are 100% proven, so hybrid devices will
control markets
Fate of methanol or hydrogen is coupled with
fate of fuel cells
14
Questions
15