An overview on the production of bio-methanol as potential renewable energy

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Abstract

The depletion of the fossil fuel supply and the environmental pollution caused by fossil fuel combustion have become major worldwide problems. Biomass is a renewable resource that has the potential to replace fossil fuels. One of the valuable biomass products is bio-methanol, which can be used to generate electricity and power for portable applications. This paper discusses the potential of bio-methanol as a renewable resource taking into account the world demand, economic assessment, power density and possible applications. It therefore presents the unique properties of bio-methanol as a potential energy resource. It also discusses the various types of biomass that can be obtained from waste products and the different processes that have been developed for the production of bio-methanol fIn addition, it discusses the current problems facing bio-methanol production and the further technological improvements that are needed to support the future energy requirements. Overall, the yield of bio-methanol depends on the type of process used and the associated kinetic parameters of the conversion process. Catalysts have been used in the thermo-chemical and bio-chemical conversion of carbon dioxide into bio-methanol. Several advanced methods have been recently introduced to enhance the production of methanol, but further research is required before these can be used for large-scale bio-methanol production.

Introduction

Technology enhancements and human development contribute to the continuous increase in the worldwide energy demand [1], [2], [3]. There are three categories of energy sources: fossil fuels, renewable and nuclear energy. Fossil fuels, such as coal, petroleum and natural gas, are non-renewable energy sources that will be depleted in the next few years [4], [5], [6]. The renewable energy sources include solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass and geothermal energy, whereas nuclear energy is derived from fission and fusion reactions [6]. Fossil fuel source depletion has increased the need to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels [7], [8], [9]. However, the depletion is not the only current concern with fossil fuel use. The environmental degradation caused by burning fossil fuels and the waste products produced have created an imbalance in the atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, which has become the major contributor to global warming [10]. In addition, the municipal solid wastes from human and animal activities have also contributed to the environmental degradation. Therefore, it has been suggested that this waste should be recycled or converted into energy [11], [12], [13], [14].

The disposal of agricultural, human and animal waste (solid) that is categorised as biomass material is yet another problem that should be addressed. In addition to its use as a plant fertiliser, animal waste can be converted via a chemical reaction and thus has the potential to be used as a chemical feedstock. The fossil fuel emission during fuel processing has prompted the search for renewable sources that emit zero or low pollution. The use of bio-methanol from biomass is more advantageous than fossil products because of its low pollution emission and raw material availability; furthermore, the characteristics of this alcohol are identical to those of fossil fuel. Hence, biomass is a renewable energy source that can potentially replace fossil fuels [7], [15], [16]. It is well-known in certain countries, such as Brazil and the US, that bio-methanol from biomass can produce electrical energy [17]. This paper discusses the various types of biomass that can be obtained from waste, the different processes that are available for methanol production and the current problems that are involved in the production of methanol. In essence, this paper will discuss the potential of bio-methanol as a renewable power resource.

Section snippets

World demand for methanol

In 2000, approximately 6.2 billion tons of carbon was emitted into the atmosphere as CO2 and approximately 40% of this was emitted during the production of electricity. A survey from the U.S. Department of Energy revealed that the consumption of electricity, which increases significantly every year, is projected to increase by 44% from 2006 to 2030 [18]. By 2050, road transportation is expected to be the largest contributor to greenhouse emissions. In Europe, the renewable energy target for

Types of bio-mass

Biomass is an organic or carbonaceous material that stores sunlight in the form of chemical energy through photosynthesis. It can be used as an alternative for fossil fuels for several reasons: (1) it is a source of sustainable renewable energy, (2) it is environmentally friendly, (3) it has significant economic potential and (4) it creates energy security [33]. Biomass is defined according to its purpose and application, which are different depending on the field. There are five categories of

Bio-methanol production

There are several conventional and new processes for the production of bio-methanol, such as pyrolysis, gasification, biosynthesis, electrolysis and photo electrochemical processes. Pyrolysis technology is more suitable for the large-scale production of methanol for diesel engines and gas turbine applications, whereas the cost-effective gasification processes are preferred for the production of gaseous fuel. Biosynthesis processes, which use resources such as methane and carbon dioxide to

Kinetic parameters

Table 1 summarises the kinetic parameters in the production of bio-methanol using different processes and raw materials. As shown, the thermal and bio-synthesis processes usually use biomass, methane, syngas, carbon dioxide or hydrogen as the feedstock for methanol production. The pyrolysis and gasification conversion studied by Gullu et al. [6], Kumabe et al. [7], Hasegawa et al. [17], Xu et al. [61], Galindo et al. [26], Dong et al. [46], Nakagawa et al. [43], Van Ren et al. [56] and

Current problems with bio-methanol production

The syngas that is produced from gasification processes is considered suitable for bio-methanol production. However, it requires large amounts of biomass for large-scale bio-methanol production. In addition, the biomass resources should be non-edible to ensure that these do not compete with food crops. In addition, Sayah et al. [29] reports that, in 2030, the price of methane will likely be 5000 USD t−1 and that the cost of the conventional methanol synthesis will likely be 150 USD t−1 methanol.

Conclusion

The components of various biomass sources contribute to renewable energy, or bio-energy. All of the reviews and investigations on biomass show that it can be used to produce methanol through certain conversion processes and technologies; therefore, biomass has the potential to replace fossil fuels. Methanol can be produced through a number of thermochemical processes, including pyrolysis, gasification and liquefaction, depending on the types of products sought. The biochemical pathway can be

Acknowledgement

The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Malaysian Of Education (MOHE) under research grant No: FRGS/2/2013/TK06/UKM/01/1 and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia for research grant No: DIP-2012-04

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