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Economic impact of an improved methanol catalyst. [Forecasting to 2000] (open access)

Economic impact of an improved methanol catalyst. [Forecasting to 2000]

The economic future of methanol is reviewed in light of its potential uses as a substitute for traditional hydrocarbon fuels and feedstocks as well as some evolving new uses. Methanol's future market position will depend strongly on its production cost in comparison with competitive products. One promising way to reduce the production cost is by use of an improved catalyst in the process by which methanol is obtained from the feedstock - which can be either natural gas or a similar product such as synthesis gas from coal gasification. To estimate the potential cost savings with an improved catalyst, we have based our analysis on a recent study which assumed use of synthesis gas from underground coal gasification as a feedstock for making methanol. The improved catalyst we studied was an actinide oxide whose features include high tolerance to sulfur and heat, and a yield of about 4 mol% methanol per pass with a 2/1 mixture of H/sub 2//CO. We calculated the effect of this catalyst on methanol production costs in a 12,000-bbl/day plant. The result was a saving of from 1 cent to 2.5 cent per gallon on the total methanol synthesis cost of 23 cents per gallon (i.e., …
Date: June 23, 1983
Creator: Grens, J.; Borg, I.; Stephens, D. & Colmenares, C.
System: The UNT Digital Library
/sup 238/PuO/sub 2/ fines generation in radioisotopic heat sources (open access)

/sup 238/PuO/sub 2/ fines generation in radioisotopic heat sources

Fuel aging studies were performed on the fuel form (plutonium-238 dioxide and yttrium) used in the Milliwatt Generator Radioisotopic Heat Source to determine the possibility of fuel degradation and of the resultant generation of respirable fines. In addition to long-term thermal aging of the fuel, evaluations included the effects of thermal ramping of the aged fuel to 1000/sup 0/C and of impacting thermally hot (450/sup 0/C) heat sources at 150 m/sec after thermal aging.
Date: June 23, 1983
Creator: Teaney, P. E.
System: The UNT Digital Library