Liquid Fuel Blend Using C-Sink Methanol for Lower CO2 Emissions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid fuel blends, such as A20, still emit significant CO2 and there is a need for further reduction to meet the Paris Agreement's goal of zero CO2 emissions by 2050, while being compatible with conventional combustion engines.
Innovation Solution
A method producing a liquid fuel blend using methanol derived from a carbon dioxide reducing process powered by renewable energy, involving electrolysis, carbon dioxide scrubbing, and methanol synthesis, with carbon storage, to create a C-sink methanol component.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional liquid fuel blends (e.g., A20) are used to maintain compatibility with existing combustion engines, then ease of operation is improved, but CO2 emissions remain significant and worsen environmental impact
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the fuel blend by incorporating C-sink methanol (at least 10% by volume) produced through carbon dioxide reducing processes, while maintaining compatibility parameters (at least 5% alcohol component, up to 80% fossil fuel component) for existing engine operation. This resolves the contradiction by modifying fuel composition to reduce CO2 emissions without sacrificing engine compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite fuel blend comprising multiple components: fossil fuel component, alcohol component (such as ethanol), and C-sink methanol component. This composite structure combines the energy density and compatibility of fossil fuels with the carbon-reducing properties of renewable methanol, achieving both ease of operation and reduced harmful emissions
2Object-generated harmful factors
If renewable energy sources are used to power carbon reducing processes, then CO2 emissions are reduced, but energy cost and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the carbon reducing process into distinct functional units: electrolysis unit for hydrogen production, carbon dioxide sorption units for CO2 capture, carbonization unit for carbon production, and methanol synthesis unit for fuel production. This modular segmentation manages process complexity by organizing complex operations into separate, manageable stages while achieving the goal of CO2 reduction through renewable energy
3Object-generated harmful factors
If higher proportions of methanol are added to reduce CO2 emissions, then environmental impact is improved, but fuel energy density and engine performance may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the methanol concentration parameter to at least 10% by volume (with embodiments specifying 15-30%) to achieve sufficient CO2 reduction while maintaining fuel energy density within acceptable ranges for combustion engines. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by finding the optimal balance point where environmental benefits are achieved without compromising energy performance
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method significantly reduces CO2 emissions by 38% compared to pure gasoline, actively removing CO2 from the atmosphere and storing excess carbon, making the fuel blend environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
producing oxygen in an electrolysis unit which intakes a water volume MH2O, in particular from the sea, via at least one water supply line and breaks down the intake water volume MH2O into an oxygen quantity MO2 and a hydrogen quantity
Implementation Method 2
scrubbing of ambient air UL in at least one carbon dioxide sorption unit 12, the carbon dioxide sorption unit receiving the ambient air UL via at least one air inlet and extracting a carbon dioxide quantity from the ambient air UL in at least one downstream sorber device
Implementation Method 3
producing carbon in the carbonization unit by methane synthesis and methane splitting
Implementation Method 4
the methane splitting being effected by Kvaerner processing and/or monolith processing
Implementation Method 5
combining the second portion of the hydrogen quantity and the second portion of the carbon dioxide quantity in the methanol synthesis unit to produce the methanol component
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method of producing a liquid fuel blend for use in conventional combustion engines, wherein a methanol component is produced in an atmospheric carbon dioxide reducing process that is autonomously powered, in particular exclusively, by at least one renewable energy source, wherein the methanol component is mixed with an alcohol component and a fossil fuel component and the methanol component is produced by a process that actively removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.