Essential Maritime Methanol Knowledge: Properties, Uses, and Safety Precautions"

Temporary existing measures:

To control the GHE the initial strategy led to the development of short-term measures including the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI), the enhanced Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP), and the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII).

Permanent measure: Methanol as a fuel:

Methanol supports compliance towards the IMO’s 2030 carbon emission reduction target

IGF code: International code of safety for ship using gases of other low flash point fuels

IMO MSC.1/Cir 1621: Interim guidelines for the safety of ships using methyl/ethyl alcohol as a fuel

Methanol:
What is it?

CH3 OH
Methanol, also called methyl alcohol, is a light (lighter than water), volatile, colourless and flammable liquid alcohol. Its name comes from its early derivation from methane, Each methanol molecule has one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms, and it is the simplest alcohol.
It is a liquid at ambient temperatures and pressure, and can be stored in modified fuel tanks on existing vessels.
There is little sulphur content in the fuel, resulting in no sulphur oxides forming during combustion. Particulate matter and soot emissions are also low. Highly miscible, so dissolve in seawater incase of spill

Methanol evaporative vapours may be heavier than air, causing them to spread along the ground and collect and stay in poorly-ventilated, low-lying, or confined areas, such as engine room bilge areas.

The three main drawbacks to its use are its

1. Toxcity :

2.Low energy density : with about 225g providing the same amount of energy when combusted as 100g of gasoil

An engine will need approximately 2.4 times the amount of methanol as diesel for the same fuel energy density, an indication of the increased volume of methanol storage needed to achieve the same amount of energy when making a comparison to existing propulsion.

3.Low flash point: , contributing to increased fire and explosion hazards.

Operation:

Methanol combustion formula 2CH₃OH + 3O₂ → 2CO₂ + 4H₂O + heat + energy

1kg of methanol creats 1.375kg CO2

Shipowners are recognizing that methanol provides them with flexibility in introducing a low-pollution, lower carbon fuel which is closest to a drop-in available in the market. This means lower upfront capex and opex costs compared with the current fuel choices.

Methanol has less energy density compared to current diesel and fuel oils, at a ratio of about 1:2.25. Therefore, on a ton-by-ton basis a vessel would require nearly two and a half times more methanol as fuel oil for a specific consumption. As methanol is a liquid fuel at ambient temperature and pressure, it requires minimal fuel tank specifications, but safety and health arrangements remain important.

Biomethanol (ligno)

Biomethanol is produced from lignocellulosic feedstocks (biomass) such as agricultural waste and by-products. The biomass undergoes a gasification or reformation process to produce syngas, which is a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas. The syngas is cleaned to remove impurities and then subjected to methanol synthesis. This involves a catalytic reaction where the carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas react to form methanol.

E-methanol (with DAC)

E-methanol is produced from carbon dioxide (extracted from ambient air using direct air capture (DAC) and e-hydrogen. E-hydrogen gas is produced using renewable energy to separate the hydrogen from water through electrolysis. The carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas are then combined through methanol synthesis, which is a catalytic reaction, to form methanol.

Engine

dual fuel engines allow ships to be operated on either LNG or conventional liquid marine fuels, including LFO, HFO or liquid biofuel. Using LNG instantly and drastically reduces CO2, NOx, SOx and particulate matter emissions. LNG is also well-established as a maritime fuel around the world, with mature legislation frameworks and robust bunkering infrastructure.

The switch between fuels can be made seamlessly without loss of power or speed. Such fuel flexibility enables compliance with emission regulations in controlled areas, while giving operators the option of determining the fuel according to cost and availability.

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