Advances in the conversion of methanol to gasoline

Methanol-to-gasoline (MTG) process is a sustainable approach for producing gasoline-range hydrocarbon biofuels. It can also mitigate the challenges associated with crude oil, such as environmental pollution, scarcity and cost of fossil-derived fuels, and political instability in major crude oil-producing countries. MTG process starts with the production of syngas, followed by conversion of syngas to methanol and production of gasoline from methanol. This chapter summarized the various feedstock used for producing methanol, including biomass and carbon dioxide. MTG process started way back in 1978 when the first plant was installed in New Zealand. Since then, significant technological advancement has been witnessed in the MTG process. This chapter thus presents progress in the MTG process. Specifically, the effect of characteristic features of zeolites and various process variables on the MTG process are elaborated. The reaction mechanism and industrial processes are also discussed briefly.