Methanol Production

Cost Analysis Overview

Report Methanol AA01

2015/16

Methanol AA01
Methanol Production Cost Analysis - Overview

2015/16

ABSTRACT
This report presents alternatives for producing Methanol from different feedstocks and a cost comparison of these
alternatives, across different countries, based on 2015/16 economic data. More specifically, the report compares
capital and production costs of the following pathways:
* Pathway 1: Methanol Production from Natural Gas
* Pathway 2: Methanol Production from Naphtha
* Pathway 3: Methanol Production from Coal
All Pathways involve the generation of syngas intermediate, which is then converted to Methanol.
The analysis presented in this report includes:
* A comparison of the economic potential of the pathways listed above in several countries, comprising:
* Comparative analysis of capital costs
* Comparative analysis of production costs
* Historical behavior of the economic potential in the last 4 years
* Comparison between product price and raw materials costs of each pathway
* An overview of each production pathway, including:
* Raw material(s) consumption figures and product(s) generated
* Related technology licensors and block flow diagram of representative industrial processes

Keywords: Methane, Catalytic Reforming, Synthesis Gas, Large-Scale Methanol, Partial Oxidation, JM Catalysts,
Autothermal Reformer, Methyl Alcohol, Coal Gasification

TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABOUT THIS REPORT......................................................................................................................................................................5
Study Objective............................................................................................................................................................................ 5
Report Overview...........................................................................................................................................................................6
Production Pathways: Understanding the Concept.............................................................................................................7
How to Understand the Analysis Presented in this Report................................................................................................ 9
ABOUT METHANOL....................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Description................................................................................................................................................................................. 10
Applications................................................................................................................................................................................10
Methanol Pathways Diagram................................................................................................................................................. 11
Other Methanol Production Pathways Reports..................................................................................................................12
PRODUCTION PATHWAYS EXAMINED..................................................................................................................................... 13
Pathway 1: Methanol Production from Natural Gas..........................................................................................................14
Pathway 2: Methanol Production from Naphtha................................................................................................................19
Pathway 3: Methanol Production from Coal....................................................................................................................... 24
PATHWAYS COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS............................................................................................................................29
Introduction................................................................................................................................................................................ 29
Comparison of Pathways........................................................................................................................................................30
Regional Comparison...............................................................................................................................................................35
PATHWAYS' COMPARISON SUMMARY................................................................................................................................... 40
REPORT BASES & ASSUMPTIONS.............................................................................................................................................41
Pathways Inputs and Outputs Figures................................................................................................................................. 41
Market Prices............................................................................................................................................................................. 42
REFERENCES..................................................................................................................................................................................47
ANALYSIS METHODOLOGY......................................................................................................................................................... 48
Initial Research.......................................................................................................................................................................... 48
Pathways Overview.................................................................................................................................................................. 48
Definition of Input and Output Figures................................................................................................................................. 48
Pricing Data Gathering and Verification...............................................................................................................................50

Net Raw Materials Costs Estimating....................................................................................................................................50

Capital Costs Estimating.........................................................................................................................................................50
Other Production Costs Estimating...................................................................................................................................... 53
Depreciation............................................................................................................................................................................... 54
Economic Potential Estimating..............................................................................................................................................54
Regional Comparisons.............................................................................................................................................................55
ABOUT INTRATEC..........................................................................................................................................................................56
Our Business.............................................................................................................................................................................. 56
Our Reports................................................................................................................................................................................ 56