(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The first Middle East Methanol Forum (MEMF), organised by Qatar Fuel Additives Company Ltd (Qafac), effectively showcased the wide-ranging benefits of the use and application of methanol.
The Forum, whose key theme was "Miracle Energy on Hand (MeOH)", held here yesterday was attended by 180 global industry executives and senior government officials participated.
Qafac Chairman Hamad Rashid Al Mohannadi noted that the combined production capacity of over 90 methanol plants across the key regions is about 100 million metric tonnes. Each day more than 165,000 tonnes of methanol is used as chemical feedstock or as an energy carrier in transport fuel. According to the Methanol Institute (MI) methanol is currently the world's second ranked chemical transported, with more than 80,000 tonnes shipped daily from one continent to another, he said.
The global demand for methanol in 2013 was 60.7m tonnes. The estimation for 2020 will be around 120m tonnes, driven in large part by the resurgence of the global housing market, increased demand for cleaner energy and the new technologies like methanol to olefins (MTO). It is estimated that the global methanol industry generates $36bn in economic activity every year, while creating over 100,000 jobs around the globe, he said
During one of the panel discussions on "Making the Case for Oxygenates in the GCC", Chief Executive Officer of Salalah Methanol Company in Oman, Awadh Hassan Al Shanfari, pointed out that Oman is reviewing fuel blending standards and regulations in the country, considering methanol blending in petrol.
Chairman of Oorja Protonics Inc and General Partner at Focus Ventures, US, James Boettcher, noted in his presentation that methanol's use in cooking and heating is especially important as a replacement for the indoor burning of wood, charcoal, coal, etc, which can cause serious health problems. He also presented how Oorja uses methanol to provide enough power to supplement or supplant diesel generator sets and batteries in target markets and applications.
"Direct methanol fuel cells contains non-explosive liquid that are user-friendly, easily transportable, and costs less for stationary or mobile storage," Boettcher said.
"Thus, it can deliver better ROIs in logistics applications versus extra batteries, charging stations, and battery replacement. In addition, methanol fuel cells deliver lower TCO/LCOE (transparent conductive oxide and levelised cost of electricity) than diesel generator sets or H2 fuel cells in off-grid locations such as telecom base stations.
As far as the use of methanol as marine fuels is concerned, Project Manager for Methanol Adaptation at Wartsila Sweden, Toni Stojcevski, revealed that some of the conclusions derived from using methanol in the diesel process of marine engines include: engine output and efficiency is equal to diesel engine; significant reduction of NOx and particulate matter as compared to diesel; life span of major engine components will be similar or even better than the diesel engine; and that no change in oil change intervals are expected.
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