Public Defense in Mechanical Engineering, M.Sc. Judit Nyári

Production of synthetic methanol from captured carbon dioxide and hydrogen for the decarbonization of the maritime sector

Net-zero targets and decarbonization have been in the global discussion in recent years and the maritime sector is no exception to this. Stringent regulations posed by the EU and the International Maritime Organization push the sector players to reduce energy consumption and shift towards low- or near-zero carbon fuels. Methanol is an excellent alternative to the currently used fuels due to its lower emissions, ease of storage and transportation, and already available engine technologies. Its production from non-fossil sources can further mitigate carbon dioxide emissions and achieve climate targets.

This research investigated the technical and economic feasibility of large-scale synthetic methanol plants. Studies on process conditions and the underlying kinetic model describing the methanol synthesis were applied in the process modelling environment. Additionally, a set of sensitivity analyses were conducted on economic inputs to find their effect on the production cost of synthetic methanol. Moreover, a survey was conducted with the participation of RoPax passengers to study their awareness and acceptance of alternative fuels and climate mitigation in the sector.

The research has estimated the production cost of synthetic methanol at a large scale within the range of 700-900 €/ton. This price is more than double the last decade’s average fossil methanol price. Synthetic methanol production costs can be decreased significantly by reducing the cost of feedstock, especially the cost of renewable hydrogen, selling the oxygen byproduct that is produced from the electrolysis, and increasing the scale of the plant. Combining these favorable scenarios could make synthetic methanol production competitive with its fossil counterpart. 

Passengers are not aware of the current fuel trends in the maritime sector. While news about hydrogen and electrification has reached them, other fuels, such as methanol, are unheard of. Passengers prefer sustainably produced fuels with low emissions, and a significant share of them are willing to pay extra to operate the ships on these fuels.

The findings of this research can be useful both for academia and the industry, especially the shipping sector and the rapidly developing power-to-X industry. Furthermore, the findings about passengers’ awareness can give RoPax operators insight into their customers.

Doctoral Student: Judit Nyári

Opponent: FRSC Professor Peter Styring, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom

Custos:Assistant Professor Annukka Santasalo-Aarnio, Aalto University School of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering

The public defense will be organized on campus in Lecture Hall 216, Otakaari 4.

Thesis is publicly displayed 10 days prior to the defense in the publication archive Aaltodoc of Aalto University. 

Contact information of the doctoral student: Judit Nyári,judit.nyari@aalto.fi, +358504652700

Doctoral theses in the School of Engineering: https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/handle/123456789/49