NTPC’s Innovative Catalyst for CO2 Conversion: Pioneering Methanol Production as Part of Commitment to Net-Zero Emissions by 2070

CO2 mitigation remains a critical challenge for fossil-fired power plants, prompting a global focus on capturing carbon emissions from flue gas and converting them into valuable fuels and chemicals. In this effort, NETRA, the Research and Development wing of NTPC, has successfully developed an indigenous catalyst for the hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) in Dehradun.

Catalysts play a vital role in chemical synthesis, and after thorough characterization, NETRA is now conducting long-duration quantitative and qualitative performance assessments of the catalyst in a specially designed 10 Kg/day methanol pilot plant. The process involves passing 1 mole of CO2 and 3 moles of H2 through a fixed-bed down-flow reactor, resulting in a methanol purity of over 99%.

This initiative underscores NTPC’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and setting a benchmark for sustainable practices within the energy sector. NTPC Green Energy Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of NTPC, is actively pursuing projects aimed at decreasing the company’s carbon footprint. These efforts align with global climate action targets and India’s pledge to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.

Through these innovative advancements, NTPC is taking significant strides towards a more sustainable energy future, contributing to the global fight against climate change.