10.4. Conversion of Methanol to Gasoline

Methanol is used directly as a fuel or fuel additive in significant markets, particularly China. However, methanol is also important as a feedstock for production of gasoline in the so-called methanol to gasoline (MTG) process, which represents a competing technology to the traditional FT synthesis approach for making gasoline. This has been demonstrated in several locations and is being proposed for new facilities.

Instead of the traditional FT technology to convert syngas to liquids to be further refined into end products such as gasoline, this process follows a methanol synthesis unit with a methanol to gasoline synthesis process that yields gasoline very close the final fuel specifications, requiring minimal end processing. Figure 1 shows the preferred fluidized bed MTG process. This technology was developed and is being marketed by ExxonMobil. As of 2021, ExxonMobil noted that there is no commercial scale fluid bed MTG unit yet, but that ongoing pilot plant experience have established the basis for prospective commercial scale units. ExxonMobil and Uhde have proposed such a commercial operation in West Virginia; see below for further discussion.

Figure 1: Methanol-to-Gasoline process (ExxonMobil) — Figure 1: Methanol-to-Gasoline process
(ExxonMobil)

References/Further Reading

Presentation: Fluidized bed Methanol to Gasoline (MTG): A reliable and cost-effective solution for production of renewable gasoline, Fengrong Chen, ExxonMobil, October 2021
An Alternative Route for Coal To Liquid Fuel: applying the ExxonMobil Methanol to Gasoline (MTG) Process(Oct 2008)
Coal Conversion – Pathway to Alternative Fuels (Jan 2007)
C. Lowell Miller (DOE) Congressional Briefing, Washington, DC
Summary Report of The DOE Direct Liquefaction Process Development Campaign of the late Twentieth Century: Topical Report (July 2001)
DOE Contract DE-AC22-94PC93054
Technology Status Report: Coal Liquefaction (Oct 1999)
Department of Trade and Industry

Facilities in Planning/Development/Construction Stages

Transgas Development Systems, Roanoke, WV
Transgas Development Systems (TGDS) have stated plans to build a $3 billion facility in Mingo County, WV, known as the Adams Fork Plant. The facility would use 7,500 tons per year of Appalachian coal to create nearly 1 billion gallons of gasoline and liquid fuels annually. TGDS has signed a licensing agreement with Uhde Corporation of America to use the proprietary PRENFLO™ technology for coal gasification. Syngas produced would be converted to methanol, and gasoline synthesized via the ExxonMobil MTG technology.

DKRW Advanced Fuels, Medicine Bow, WY
The planned $2 billion DKRW Advanced Fuels plant near Medicine Bow in southern Wyoming would have used the MTG technology, but this project has essentially stalled at the planning stage and may have been discontinued.

References/Further Reading

Transgas Adams Fork Energy Project
Dependence on fossil fuels tough on Wyoming economy, The Durango Herald, January 2016

Liquid Fuels

Gasoline & Diesel
Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis
Syngas Conversion to Methanol
Conversion of Methanol to Gasoline
Indirect Liquefaction Processes
Direct Liquefaction Processes
DOE Supported R&D for Liquid Fuels/Advanced Fuels Synthesis