Benefits to utility systems of coproduction of methanol and electricity. Final report

Electric utilities have a continuing need for clean liquid fuels for electric power generation in the near and intermediate term. One potential alternative to petroleum oil is methanol produced by adding a once-through methanol synthesis to coal gasification-combined cycle plants. An initial assessment of the potential benefits of installing methanol and electricity coproduction units was performed in this study. The project results indicate substantial potential savings to systems using relatively large quantities of oil-fired generation by adding once-through methanol synthesis to coal gasification-combined cycle units. Although potential savings are less for utility systems using a large percentage of coal-fired generation, total capital requirements for expanding such systems could be reduced, even though capital must be spent for the methanol producing facilities.