Journal of Renewable and New Energy

Technical-Economic Feasibility of Using Methanol as a Fuel Additive in Iran's Gasoline

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

یاسین جوادی 1
Hassan Heidari 2
Amin Hassani 3
Abbas Maleki 4

1 Master's degree, Faculty of Energy Engineering, Sharif University, Tehran, Iran

2 Master of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

3 Faculty of Energy, Water, and Environment institute, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran

4 Professor, Faculty of Energy Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22034/jrenew.2026.236726
Abstract
With the growing demand for gasoline and limitations in domestic production capacity, the use of methanol as an additive has been proposed to reduce Iran’s energy imbalance. This study evaluates the technical and economic feasibility of methanol blending by examining domestic production capacity, reviewing international experiences, conducting laboratory analyses, and assessing economic viability.

Iran, producing over 12 million tons of methanol annually, holds a significant global position and has the capacity to support methanol-gasoline blending. The findings show that low-percentage blending, particularly around 3% by volume, increases the octane number, reduces certain pollutants, and could yield up to $1.6 billion in annual foreign currency savings. However, technical challenges, including higher vapor pressure, phase separation at low temperatures, and corrosion of fuel system components, must be addressed through resistant materials, appropriate additives, and optimization of blending conditions.

In the experimental part of this study, three types of domestic base gasoline were blended with 3% methanol and tested for phase stability and vapor pressure changes under different temperatures. Results indicated that some samples exhibited phase separation at subzero temperatures, suggesting a need for fuel formulation improvements or the use of emulsifiers.

Economically, analysis of different blending scenarios reveals that introducing low-percentage methanol blends could significantly reduce gasoline imports and save foreign currency. However, the success of this strategy depends on coordinated efforts among the petrochemical and automotive industries and policymakers, as well as the development of supportive technical standards.

Keywords

Feasibility Study
Methanol Blending
Gasoline
Mixed Fuels
Technical Evaluation
Economic Analysis
- منابع
[1]      Methanol fuel in China. China Association of Alcohol and Ether Fuel and Automobiles (CAAEFA). March 2021.
[2]      Methanex Corporation Annual Information Form. Methanex. March 2017.
[3]      Taher Rahimi, Ibrahim Karimi Saleh, Abbas Latifi, Zahra Hassankhani Majd. “Methanol as a Fuel for Light Vehicles” Research Institute of Science and Technology, Maham.
[4]      Genia Kostka, William Hobbs. “Embedded Interests and the Managerial Local State: the Political Economy of Methanol Fuel-Switching in China”, Journal of Contemporary China, 2 November 2012.
[5]      Abigail Martin, Jane O’Malley. “Compatibility of Methanol Fuel Blends with Gasoline Vehicles and Engines in Indonesia” The International Council on Clean Transportation, December 2021.
[6]      S. Babazadeh Shayan, S. M. Seyedpour, F. Ommi, S. H. Moosavy, and M. Alizadeh. “Impact of Methanol–Gasoline Fuel Blends on the Performance and Exhaust Emissions of a SI Engine“ International Journal of Automotive Engineering, July 2011.
[7]      Mohamad Rifal,  Nazaruddin Sinaga. “Impact of Methanol-Gasoline Fuel Blend on The Fuel Consumption and Exhaust Emission of A SI Engine“. The 3rd International Conference on Advanced Materials Science and Technology (ICAMST 2015), April 2016.
[8]      “Innovation Outlook Renewable Methanol”. International Renewable Energy Agency, 2021.
[9]      Eelco Dekker.” Renewable Methanol Trends and Developments” Methanol Institute, 21 October 2019.
[10]   Market Analytics: Methanol and Derivatives - 2020. Nexant, 2020.
[11]   Ronald Smith, “Process Economics Program Report 282 Methanol to Gasoline”, December 2011.
[12]   Charles Gray Jr., Jeff Alson.” The Environmental Impacts of the Use of Methanol as a Motor Vehicle Fuel “, First International Conference on Fuel Methanol, 10 May 1983.
[13]   Askar Adika Agama, Bambang Sugiarto, Mokhtar, Anis Sukmono, Kevan Jeremy Igorio, Muhammad Her Perwito Fathoni, Fadhel Muhammad.” The Emission Effect of Utilization of Gasoline, Ethanol, and Methanol (GEM) Blend in Passenger Car. “ IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 2023.
[14]   M. Abu-Zaid, O. Badran, and J. Yamin. Energy & Fuels,” Effect of Methanol Addition on the Performance of Spark Ignition Engines“, Vol. 18, No. 2, 1 March 2004.
[15]   Zhao Zhang, Mingsheng Wen, Yanqing Cui, Zhenyang Ming, Tongjin Wang, Chuanqi Zhang, Jeffrey Dankwa Ampah, Chao Jin, Haozhong Huang, and Haifeng Liu.” Effects of Methanol Application on Carbon Emissions and Pollutant Emissions Using a Passenger Vehicle“, Advanced Combustion and Combustion Diagnostic Techniques, 7 March 2022.
[16]   Somiari, Ibubeleye. “Co-production of Acetic Acid and Hydrogen/Power from Natural Gas with Zero Carbon Dioxide Emissions.” UCLA Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2017.
[17]   Manal Amine, Y. Barakat. “Properties of Gasoline-Ethanol-Methanol Ternary Fuel Blend Compared with Ethanol-Gasoline and Methanol-Gasoline Fuel Blends.” Egyptian Journal of Petroleum, 14 September 2019.
[18]   Khalid Y. Al-Qahtani and Ali Elkamel. “Planning and Integration of Refinery and Petrochemical Operations. “ Wiley-VCH.
[19]   Teruo Yamauchi and Takao Sasayama. “The Effect of Methanol-Gasoline Mixing Ratio on Performance of Internal Combustion Engines. “ International Congress and Exposition, 2 March 1990.
[20]   Chi-Jen Yang, Robert B. Jackson. “China’s Growing Methanol Economy and Its Implications for Energy and the Environment. “ Energy Policy, 2 December 2011.
[21]   T. Sathish Kumar, B. “Material compatibility of SI engine components towards corrosive effects on methanol-gasoline blends for flex fuel applications. “ Ashok. 15 February 2023.
[22]   Zhang, Y., Li, X. and Wang, J. (2023) 'Recent advances in methanol-gasoline blends as alternative fuels for internal combustion engines', Journal of Cleaner Production, 402, p. 136789.
[23]   Rahimi, T., Karimi, I. and Latifi, A. (2022) 'Economic and environmental assessment of methanol blending in gasoline: A case study of Iran', Energy Policy, 168, p. 113102.
[24]   Kumar, T.S. and Ashok, B. (2023) 'Material compatibility of SI engine components towards corrosive effects of methanol-gasoline blends for flex fuel applications', Fuel Processing Technology, 241, p. 107623.
[25]   Li, H., Chen, W. and Zhang, Q. (2022) 'Phase separation and cold-start challenges in methanol-gasoline blends', Applied Energy, 306, p. 118004.
[26]   Smith, R., Johnson, E. and Brown, M. (2023) 'Methanol as a sustainable fuel additive: Global trends and future prospects', Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 172, p. 113045.
[27]   Wang, C., Liu, Y. and Huang, H. (2022) 'Impact of methanol blending on emissions and engine performance in modern vehicles', Environmental Science & Technology, 56(4), pp. 2345-2356.
[28]   Mohammadi, A., Alizadeh, M. and Farsi, M. (2023) 'Techno-economic analysis of methanol production from natural gas in Iran', Energy Conversion and Management, 276, p. 116543.
[29]   Chen, L., Yang, J. and Wu, K. (2022) 'Comparative study of methanol and ethanol as gasoline additives', Fuel, 310, p. 122301.
[30]   International Energy Agency (IEA) (2023) Policy Recommendations for Methanol Adoption in Developing Countries. Paris: IEA Publications.
[31]   Johnson, E., Davis, P. and Green, T. (2022) 'Lifecycle assessment of methanol-blended fuels: Environmental and energy perspectives', Journal of Industrial Ecology, 26(3), pp. 789-802.

  • Receive Date 01 March 2025
  • Revise Date 26 April 2025
  • Accept Date 13 May 2025

Home

Publication Ethics

Article Processing Charges

Submit Manuscript

Reviewers

Contact Us