Future Use of Methanol

If energy prices develop in such a way that it becomes economically attractive to use methanol in gasoline or as a fuel for power production the market potential in these areas is almost unlimited. This development, however, will be governed by political decisions and so predictions for the future are almost impossible. 

If methanol should ever enter into these new applications, it will also be available as feedstock for the chemical industry in practically any amount and at rather low cost. For a detailed analysis of the future methanol market, the World Methanol Study by SRI gives some excellent information (18J. 

In addition, methanol plants can be built in large sizes and today s standard plants amount to 2000 MTHD. Studies of complexes for coal based plants for the production of fuel methanol with capacities up to 30000 MTPDhave been carried out. 

MFTHANOl KAW MATf RIAL I OR TUt CHLMICAL INDL STRY 

Based on methanol, a great variety of today s chemicals can be synthesized. These chemicals can be broken down into base chemicals and fine chemicals. 

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Will Methanol Replace Gasoline Perhaps the most promising future use of methanol is as an automotive fuel supplement. There are four ways in which this can be achieved. 

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