India’s First CO2-to-Methanol Pilot Plant proposed in Pune, Maharashtra

Posted 18 Sep 2024

2 min read

Plant with capacity of 1.4 tons per day is being implemented under Public-Private Partnership with support from Department of Science and Technology.

About CO2-to-Methanol Conversion

Currently, Carbon Utilization Technologies like CO2 to methanol are less developed compared to capture ones.
- CO2-to-methanol involves capturing carbon emissions before they enter atmosphere, particularly from industrial sources like power plants or directly from air via direct air capture technologies.
- Captured CO2 is then hydrogenated – reacted with hydrogen – to produce methanol.
CO2-to-methanol conversion has potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and providing a sustainable fuel source.
CO2-to-Methanol plant in Pune will advance indigenous Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) technologies, marking significant step towards India’s Panchamrit declaration.

About Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS)

An infographic image illustrating the Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) process. It starts with the capture of CO₂ emissions from industrial sources like power, steel, and cement plants (Step 1). The captured CO₂ is then transported via pipelines or ships (Step 2). Finally, the CO₂ is either stored underground or under the sea (Step 3a) or utilized in mineral, biological, or chemical processes (Step 3b).

Refers to Group of technologies for capturing of CO2 from large and stationary CO2 emitting sources like fossil fuel based power plants and other industries. (International Energy Agency)
It involves transport of captured CO2 (by pipeline or through shipping, rail or trucks) to sites for utilization in different applications, injections into geological formations or depleted oil/gas fields for permanent storage and trapping of CO2.

Significance of CCUS

Decarbonisation of Hard to abate sectors: Like cement, steel, etc., where technology involving use of fossil fuels are in a mature stage.
Propel Low carbon Hydrogen: Coal gasification with CCUS.
Realization of Net Zero Targets: With advancement in Direct Air Capture technology.

Issues with CCUS adoption in India

Variation in Carbon Capture Costs across sectors: Depending upon source and concentration of CO2.
Limited CO2 storage Limit: especially for saline aquifers and basaltic storage (geological data on pore space availability).
Absence of downstream CO2 infrastructure for transportation and storage.