Production of synthetic methanol from air and water using controlled thermonuclear reactor power—II. Capital investment and production costs

Abstract

Energy requirement and process development of methanol production from air and water using controlled thermonuclear fusion power was discussed in part I of this paper. This second part of the paper presents an economic analysis of the nine alternate processes presented for obtaining carbon dioxide recovery from the atmosphere or the sea for methanol production. It is found that the most economical process of obtaining carbon dioxide is by stripping from sea water. The process of absorption/stripping by dilute potassium carbonate solution is found to be the most economical for the extraction of carbon dioxide from air at atmospheric pressure. The total energy required for methanol synthesis from these sources of carbon dioxide is 3.90 kWh(e)/lb methanol of which 90% is used for generation of hydrogen. The process which consumes the greatest amount of energy is the absorption/stripping of air by water at high pressure and amounts to 13.2 kWh(e)/lb methanol. With nuclear fusion power plants of 1000 to 9000 MW(e), it is found that the cost of methanol using the extraction of carbon dioxide from air with dilute potassium carbonate solution is estimated to be in the range between $1.73 and $2.90/MMB.t.u. (energy equivalent—1974 cost) for plant capacities of 21400 to 193000 bbl/day methanol. This methanol cost is competitive with gasoline in the range of 19 ∼ 33 ¢/gallon. For the process of stripping of carbon dioxide from sea water, the cost is found to lie in the range of $1.65 to $2.71/MMB.t.u. (energy equivalent) for plant capacities of 21700 to 195000 bbl/day methanol which is competitive with gasoline in the range of 18 ∼ 30 ¢/gallon. Projection of methanol demand in the year 2020 is presented based on both its conventional use as chemicals and as a liquid fuel substituting for oil and gas.