Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Rameswar Teli launched the Indian Oil Corp (IOC) M15 petrol on a pilot basis in Assam’s Tinsukia district.
- M15 petrol means15 per cent blend of methanol with petrol.
- The Pilot rollout is being done in Assam’s Tinsukia due to the ready availability of Methanol which is being manufactured by the State Public Sector Enterprise – Assam Petrochemical Ltd, Namrup in the vicinity of Digboi.
About Methanol
- Methanol (CH3OH) is a low carbon, hydrogen carrier fuel produced from high ash coal, agricultural residue, CO2 from thermal power plants and natural gas.
- As per NITI Aayog, it is the best pathway for meeting India’s commitment to COP 21.
- Although slightly lower in energy content than petrol and diesel, methanol can replace both these fuels in the transport sector (road, rail and marine), energy sector (comprising DG sets, boilers, process heating modules, tractors and commercial vehicles) and retail cooking (replacing LPG [partially], kerosene and wood charcoal).
- NITI Aayog’s ‘Methanol Economy’ programme is aimed at reducing India’s oil import bill, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and converting coal reserves and municipal solid waste into methanol.
- The Bureau of Indian Standards has notified 20% DME blending with LPG.
- A notification for M-15, M-85, M-100 blends has been issued by the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways On 5 October 2018, Assam Petrochemicals launched Asia’s first canister-based methanol cooking fuel programme.
Benefits of Methanol:
- Methanol can be an alternative to conventional transportation fuels.
- Lower production costs—Methanol is cheap to produce relative to other alternative fuels.
- Improved safety—Methanol has a lower risk of flammability compared to gasoline.
- Increased energy security—Methanol can be manufactured from a variety of domestic carbon-based feedstocks, such as biomass, natural gas, and coal.
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