NTPC’s R&D Wing Develops Indigenous Catalyst for CO₂-to-Methanol Conversion

New Delhi: In a major breakthrough toward carbon reduction in fossil-fuel-based power plants, NTPC’s R&D wing, NETRA (NTPC Energy Technology Research Alliance), in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), Dehradun, has developed an indigenous catalyst for converting captured CO₂ emissions into methanol, a valuable fuel and chemical.

Mitigating CO₂ emissions is a critical challenge for fossil-fueled power plants worldwide. By focusing on capturing CO₂ from flue gases and converting it into useful products, NTPC is advancing sustainable solutions in the energy sector. The newly developed catalyst facilitates the hydrogenation of CO₂ to produce high-purity methanol. Tests in a specially designed 10 kg/day pilot plant revealed that the catalyst achieves a methanol purity of over 99%. In this setup, a 1:3 ratio of CO₂ and H₂ passes through a fixed-bed downflow reactor, with long-duration quantitative and qualitative assessments ongoing.

This innovation marks a significant step forward in NTPC’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing India’s pledge to reach net-zero by 2070. NTPC Green Energy Limited, a subsidiary of NTPC, is at the forefront of carbon footprint reduction through initiatives that align with global climate targets.

With its efforts, NTPC aims to set new benchmarks in sustainable energy practices, supporting both India’s climate commitments and the global push towards reducing carbon emissions in the energy industry.