Japanese duo to develop tech to reduce e-methanol production cost

Japanese engineering firm Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has partnered with ceramics firm NGK INSULATORS to develop a membrane dehydration system to lower the cost of e-methanol production for use in the maritime sector.

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E-methanol, or electro-methanol, denotes methanol synthesized through the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide. In e-methanol production, a membrane dehydration system removes water from the reaction mixture, increasing methanol yield and purity while also reducing energy consumption compared to traditional distillation methods.

The project aims to substitute the dehydration step in e-methanol production, where hydrogen and CO2 serve as feedstocks. Employing a membrane separation system is anticipated to notably slash energy consumption in e-methanol production, MHI claims.

For the project, MHI will leverage its extensive experience in constructing methanol plants and other chemical facilities, along with its expertise in methanol and chemical handling technologies. NGK will contribute its understanding of sub-nano ceramic membrane technology.

Apart from developing a membrane dehydration system for e-methanol production, the duo will also build a membrane dehydration system for bioethanol production - a raw material for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

By Tuhin Roy

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