Methane to methanol - Revision history

Eric: Moved the Page’s Content to a Similarly Named Page + Created a Redirect to That Page

2025-10-05T05:33:23Z

Moved the Page’s Content to a Similarly Named Page + Created a Redirect to That Page

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:33, 5 October 2025
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[File:MethanolMarathon.jpg\|thumb\|500px\|right\|The Methanol Marathon (1988-1990) was an alternative fuels competition for college and university students in the U.S. and Canada. General Motors Corporation provided 1988 Chevrolet Corsicas which were converted to operate on an M85 fuel (85% methanol and 15% hydrocarbons).]]		#REDIRECT: [[Methane to Methanol]]

	~~=Basics=~~
	Methane is produced naturally by methanobacteria breaking down organic material (e.g. in the intestines of animals). Cultures of these bacteria in methane digesters can turn animal and vegetable waste into useful [[biogas]]. Although very convenient for cooking food, heating water and other household related tasks, there are barriers to using [[biogas]] to propel internal combustion-powered vehicles. In addition to [[methane]], biogas also contains other variable components such as hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen, which are corrosive. Carbon dioxide is often up to one third of the biogas volume. These need to be removed for many uses ("upgrading") such as feeding into existing natgas infrastructure ("biomethane"). Several thousand pounds per square inch, hundreds of times atmospheric pressure, are needed to compress the gas to useful densities. Liquefying it requires greater pressures and perhaps very low temperatures.

	The solution is to convert methane to the chemically very similar but liquid fuel [[methanol]] (CH4 and CH3OH, where one hydrogen is replaced by a hydroxyl group). Industrially, [[methane]] is converted to [[methanol]] by partial oxidation to hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide (synthesis gas or [[syngas]]) at high temperatures (several hundred degrees Celsius) in a process called cracking. Syngas is then catalytically converted to methanol over a copper or platinum surface, also at a couple hundred degrees Celsius. This process is only around five or ten percent efficient due to accidental total oxidation to carbon dioxide and water.

	If one could simply replace one hydrogen with a hydroxyl, there would be no need to produce syngas and run the risk of complete oxidation. The recent field of photocatalysis offers another pathway to liquid fuel from methane. Here, ultraviolet light breaks water into a hydrogen and hydroxyl free radical, which are highly reactive. When a hydroxyl radical reacts with a methane molecule, a hydrogen is displaced and methanol is produced. With the use of tungsten oxide or a similar semiconductor, photons of lower energy than ultraviolet (down to blue) can be used.

	~~This process has been demonstrated by several groups using ultraviolet flash bulbs and also with lasers.~~

	~~==Tungsten Oxide Catalyst==~~
	The paper "Photo-catalytic conversion of methane into methanol using visible laser" by M.A. Gondal et al. ([http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0926860X02005628 here] and [http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0009261404008097 here]) details the creation of a tungsten oxide semiconducting powder and experimental details of an apparatus for carrying out this conversion in batches.

	'''Photo-Catalytic Conversion Of Methane Into Methanol Using Visible Laser - Gondal, MA; Hameed, A; Suwaiyan, A ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV, APPLIED CATALYSIS A-GENERAL; pp: 165-174; Vol: 243 King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals http://www.kfupm.edu.sa

	~~Summary~~
	The photo-catalytic conversion of methane into methanol was investigated under different experimental parameters such as catalyst concentration, laser power, laser exposure time, effects of free radical generator (H2O2) and electron capture agent (Fe3+), using visible laser light. The study was carried out at room temperature with a simple set up using a laser light, water and a semiconductor photo-catalyst WO3. The reaction products (methanol, O-2 and CO2) were characterized using gas chromatography. The use Of WO3 as photo-catalyst replaces the UV laser light with visible laser light. This greatly simplifies reactor design and permits flexibility in the selection of a laser source in the visible region. The oxygen to tungsten ratio in WO3 at different temperatures was studied by XPS. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved'''

	~~=Assessment=~~
	Direct focused sunlight could be used. Though only a portion of the solar spectrum is usable, and the process would likely be highly energy inefficient, the use of sunlight directly avoids the use of highly inefficient lasers (typically less than 2% efficient), any electricity production, storage or transportation, as well as the machinery required to produce lasers. The light that is not absorbed by the semiconductors could be used for further purposes, and the heat generated could be used to distill the methanol (thus allowing for a continuous rather than batch production). Also, the process proceeds more easily at higher temperatures.

	~~=Related=~~
	* Patent: [~~http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4182926.html Catalytic process for obtaining methane from methanol]~~
	* Biocatalyst: [~~http://ssrl.slac.stanford.edu/research/highlights_archive/pmmo.html Converting~~ Methane to Methanol~~: Structural Insight into the ...]~~
	* [http://www.physorg.com/news177164574.html Energy-saving powder: Converting methane to methanol]

	~~=Internal Links=~~
	*[[Methanol]]
	*[[Methane Digester]]
	*[[Biofuel]]

	~~=External Links=~~
	*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methane The Wikipedia Page on Methane]
	*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanol The Wikipedia Page on Methanol]
	*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanol_fuel The Wikipedia Page on Methanol fuel]
	*[http://chestofbooks.com/food/beverages/Alcohol-Properties/Production.html Production Of Methyl Alcohol]
	*[http://chestofbooks.com/food/beverages/Alcohol-Properties/Rectification.html Rectification Of Methyl Alcohol]

	~~[[Category: Bio-Petrochemistry]] [[Category: Biofuel~~]]

Eric: Added a Category to the Page

2021-01-19T03:59:24Z

Added a Category to the Page

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:59, 19 January 2021
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	*[http://chestofbooks.com/food/beverages/Alcohol-Properties/Rectification.html Rectification Of Methyl Alcohol]		*[http://chestofbooks.com/food/beverages/Alcohol-Properties/Rectification.html Rectification Of Methyl Alcohol]

	[[Category: Biofuel]]		[[Category: Bio-Petrochemistry]] [[Category: Biofuel]]

Eric: Removed some stuff

2021-01-19T03:59:07Z

Removed some stuff

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:59, 19 January 2021
Line 30:		Line 30:
	*[[Methane Digester]]		*[[Methane Digester]]
	*[[Biofuel]]		*[[Biofuel]]
	*

	=External Links=		=External Links=

Eric: Updated the page to the more recent formatting style

2020-05-17T12:17:37Z

Updated the page to the more recent formatting style

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:17, 17 May 2020
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	[[File:MethanolMarathon.jpg\|thumb\|500px\|right\|The Methanol Marathon (1988-1990) was an alternative fuels competition for college and university students in the U.S. and Canada. General Motors Corporation provided 1988 Chevrolet Corsicas which were converted to operate on an M85 fuel (85% methanol and 15% hydrocarbons).]]		[[File:MethanolMarathon.jpg\|thumb\|500px\|right\|The Methanol Marathon (1988-1990) was an alternative fuels competition for college and university students in the U.S. and Canada. General Motors Corporation provided 1988 Chevrolet Corsicas which were converted to operate on an M85 fuel (85% methanol and 15% hydrocarbons).]]

	~~{{Category~~=~~Biofuel}}~~		=Basics=

	Methane is produced naturally by methanobacteria breaking down organic material (e.g. in the intestines of animals). Cultures of these bacteria in methane digesters can turn animal and vegetable waste into useful [[biogas]]. Although very convenient for cooking food, heating water and other household related tasks, there are barriers to using [[biogas]] to propel internal combustion-powered vehicles. In addition to [[methane]], biogas also contains other variable components such as hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen, which are corrosive. Carbon dioxide is often up to one third of the biogas volume. These need to be removed for many uses ("upgrading") such as feeding into existing natgas infrastructure ("biomethane"). Several thousand pounds per square inch, hundreds of times atmospheric pressure, are needed to compress the gas to useful densities. Liquefying it requires greater pressures and perhaps very low temperatures.		Methane is produced naturally by methanobacteria breaking down organic material (e.g. in the intestines of animals). Cultures of these bacteria in methane digesters can turn animal and vegetable waste into useful [[biogas]]. Although very convenient for cooking food, heating water and other household related tasks, there are barriers to using [[biogas]] to propel internal combustion-powered vehicles. In addition to [[methane]], biogas also contains other variable components such as hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen, which are corrosive. Carbon dioxide is often up to one third of the biogas volume. These need to be removed for many uses ("upgrading") such as feeding into existing natgas infrastructure ("biomethane"). Several thousand pounds per square inch, hundreds of times atmospheric pressure, are needed to compress the gas to useful densities. Liquefying it requires greater pressures and perhaps very low temperatures.

Line 19:		Line 18:
	The photo-catalytic conversion of methane into methanol was investigated under different experimental parameters such as catalyst concentration, laser power, laser exposure time, effects of free radical generator (H2O2) and electron capture agent (Fe3+), using visible laser light. The study was carried out at room temperature with a simple set up using a laser light, water and a semiconductor photo-catalyst WO3. The reaction products (methanol, O-2 and CO2) were characterized using gas chromatography. The use Of WO3 as photo-catalyst replaces the UV laser light with visible laser light. This greatly simplifies reactor design and permits flexibility in the selection of a laser source in the visible region. The oxygen to tungsten ratio in WO3 at different temperatures was studied by XPS. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved'''		The photo-catalytic conversion of methane into methanol was investigated under different experimental parameters such as catalyst concentration, laser power, laser exposure time, effects of free radical generator (H2O2) and electron capture agent (Fe3+), using visible laser light. The study was carried out at room temperature with a simple set up using a laser light, water and a semiconductor photo-catalyst WO3. The reaction products (methanol, O-2 and CO2) were characterized using gas chromatography. The use Of WO3 as photo-catalyst replaces the UV laser light with visible laser light. This greatly simplifies reactor design and permits flexibility in the selection of a laser source in the visible region. The oxygen to tungsten ratio in WO3 at different temperatures was studied by XPS. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved'''

	==Assessment==		=Assessment=
	Direct focused sunlight could be used. Though only a portion of the solar spectrum is usable, and the process would likely be highly energy inefficient, the use of sunlight directly avoids the use of highly inefficient lasers (typically less than 2% efficient), any electricity production, storage or transportation, as well as the machinery required to produce lasers. The light that is not absorbed by the semiconductors could be used for further purposes, and the heat generated could be used to distill the methanol (thus allowing for a continuous rather than batch production). Also, the process proceeds more easily at higher temperatures.		Direct focused sunlight could be used. Though only a portion of the solar spectrum is usable, and the process would likely be highly energy inefficient, the use of sunlight directly avoids the use of highly inefficient lasers (typically less than 2% efficient), any electricity production, storage or transportation, as well as the machinery required to produce lasers. The light that is not absorbed by the semiconductors could be used for further purposes, and the heat generated could be used to distill the methanol (thus allowing for a continuous rather than batch production). Also, the process proceeds more easily at higher temperatures.

	==Related==		=Related=
	* Patent: [http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4182926.html Catalytic process for obtaining methane from methanol]		* Patent: [http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4182926.html Catalytic process for obtaining methane from methanol]
	* Biocatalyst: [http://ssrl.slac.stanford.edu/research/highlights_archive/pmmo.html Converting Methane to Methanol: Structural Insight into the ...]		* Biocatalyst: [http://ssrl.slac.stanford.edu/research/highlights_archive/pmmo.html Converting Methane to Methanol: Structural Insight into the ...]
	* [http://www.physorg.com/news177164574.html Energy-saving powder: Converting methane to methanol]		* [http://www.physorg.com/news177164574.html Energy-saving powder: Converting methane to methanol]

	=~~=See Also=~~=		=Internal Links=
	* ~~OSE Wiki:~~ [[Methanol]], [[Methane Digester]], [[Biofuel]]		*[[Methanol]]
	* ~~Wikipedia:~~ [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methane Methane], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanol Methanol], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanol_fuel Methanol fuel]		*[[Methane Digester]]
	* [http://chestofbooks.com/food/beverages/Alcohol-Properties/Production.html Production Of Methyl Alcohol]		*[[Biofuel]]
	* [http://chestofbooks.com/food/beverages/Alcohol-Properties/Rectification.html Rectification Of Methyl Alcohol]		*

			=External Links=
			*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methane The Wikipedia Page on Methane]
			*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanol The Wikipedia Page on Methanol]
			*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanol_fuel The Wikipedia Page on Methanol fuel]
			*[http://chestofbooks.com/food/beverages/Alcohol-Properties/Production.html Production Of Methyl Alcohol]
			*[http://chestofbooks.com/food/beverages/Alcohol-Properties/Rectification.html Rectification Of Methyl Alcohol]

			[[Category: Biofuel]]

Rasmus: inserted image, shortened external links, fixed typos

2016-07-17T21:11:37Z

inserted image, shortened external links, fixed typos

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:11, 17 July 2016
Line 1:		Line 1:
			[[File:MethanolMarathon.jpg\|thumb\|500px\|right\|The Methanol Marathon (1988-1990) was an alternative fuels competition for college and university students in the U.S. and Canada. General Motors Corporation provided 1988 Chevrolet Corsicas which were converted to operate on an M85 fuel (85% methanol and 15% hydrocarbons).]]

	{{Category=Biofuel}}		{{Category=Biofuel}}
	Methane is produced naturally by methanobacteria breaking down organic material in the intestines of mammals. Cultures of these bacteria in methane digesters can turn animal and vegetable waste into useful biogas. Although very convenient for cooking food, heating water and other household related tasks, there are barriers to using biogas to propel internal combustion-powered vehicles. In addition to methane, biogas also contains other variable components such as hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen, which are corrosive. Carbon dioxide is often up to one third of the biogas volume. These need to be removed for many uses ("upgrading") such as feeding into existing natgas infrastructure ("biomethane"). Several thousand Pounds per square inch, hundreds of times atmospheric pressure, are needed to compress the gas to useful densities. Liquefying it requires greater pressures and perhaps very low temperatures.

	~~The solution~~ is ~~to convert~~ methane ~~to the chemically~~ very ~~similar but liquid fuel methanol (CH4~~ and ~~CH3OH~~, ~~where one~~ hydrogen ~~is replaced by a hydroxyl group)~~. ~~Industrially, methane~~ is ~~converted~~ to ~~methanol by partial oxidation~~ to ~~hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide~~ (~~synthesis gas or syngas~~) ~~at high temperatures~~ (~~several hundred degrees Celsius~~) ~~in a process called cracking~~. ~~Syngas is then catalytically converted to methanol over a copper or platinum surface~~, ~~also at a couple hundred degrees Celsius. This process is only around five or ten percent efficient due~~ to ~~accidental total oxidation~~ to ~~carbon dioxide~~ and ~~water~~.		Methane is produced naturally by methanobacteria breaking down organic material (e.g. in the intestines of animals). Cultures of these bacteria in methane digesters can turn animal and vegetable waste into useful [[biogas]]. Although very convenient for cooking food, heating water and other household related tasks, there are barriers to using [[biogas]] to propel internal combustion-powered vehicles. In addition to [[methane]], biogas also contains other variable components such as hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen, which are corrosive. Carbon dioxide is often up to one third of the biogas volume. These need to be removed for many uses ("upgrading") such as feeding into existing natgas infrastructure ("biomethane"). Several thousand pounds per square inch, hundreds of times atmospheric pressure, are needed to compress the gas to useful densities. Liquefying it requires greater pressures and perhaps very low temperatures.

	If one could simply replace one hydrogen with a hydroxyl, there would be no need to produce syngas and run the risk of complete oxidation. The recent field of photocatalysis offers another pathway to liquid fuel from methane. Here, ultraviolet light breaks water into a hydrogen and hydroxyl free radical, which are highly reactive. When a hydroxyl radical reacts with a methane molecule, a hydrogen is displaced and methanol is produced. With the use of tungsten oxide or a similar semiconductor, photons of lower energy than ultraviolet (down to blue) can be used.		The solution is to convert methane to the chemically very similar but liquid fuel [[methanol]] (CH4 and CH3OH, where one hydrogen is replaced by a hydroxyl group). Industrially, [[methane]] is converted to [[methanol]] by partial oxidation to hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide (synthesis gas or [[syngas]]) at high temperatures (several hundred degrees Celsius) in a process called cracking. Syngas is then catalytically converted to methanol over a copper or platinum surface, also at a couple hundred degrees Celsius. This process is only around five or ten percent efficient due to accidental total oxidation to carbon dioxide and water.

			If one could simply replace one hydrogen with a hydroxyl, there would be no need to produce syngas and run the risk of complete oxidation. The recent field of photocatalysis offers another pathway to liquid fuel from methane. Here, ultraviolet light breaks water into a hydrogen and hydroxyl free radical, which are highly reactive. When a hydroxyl radical reacts with a methane molecule, a hydrogen is displaced and methanol is produced. With the use of tungsten oxide or a similar semiconductor, photons of lower energy than ultraviolet (down to blue) can be used.

	This process has been demonstrated by several groups using ultraviolet flash bulbs and also with lasers.		This process has been demonstrated by several groups using ultraviolet flash bulbs and also with lasers.
Line 14:		Line 17:

	Summary		Summary
	The photo-catalytic conversion of methane into methanol was investigated under		The photo-catalytic conversion of methane into methanol was investigated under different experimental parameters such as catalyst concentration, laser power, laser exposure time, effects of free radical generator (H2O2) and electron capture agent (Fe3+), using visible laser light. The study was carried out at room temperature with a simple set up using a laser light, water and a semiconductor photo-catalyst WO3. The reaction products (methanol, O-2 and CO2) were characterized using gas chromatography. The use Of WO3 as photo-catalyst replaces the UV laser light with visible laser light. This greatly simplifies reactor design and permits flexibility in the selection of a laser source in the visible region. The oxygen to tungsten ratio in WO3 at different temperatures was studied by XPS. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved'''
	different experimental parameters such as catalyst concentration, laser power, laser
	exposure time, effects of free radical generator (H2O2) and electron capture agent
	(Fe3+), using visible laser light. The study was carried out at room temperature with a
	simple set up using a laser light, water and a semiconductor photo-catalyst WO3. The
	reaction products (methanol, O-2 and CO2) were characterized using gas
	chromatography. The use Of WO3 as photo-catalyst replaces the UV laser light with
	visible laser light. This greatly simplifies reactor design and permits flexibility in the
	selection of a laser source in the visible region. The oxygen to tungsten ratio in WO3
	at different temperatures was studied by XPS. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All
	rights reserved'''

	==Assessment==		==Assessment==
	Direct focused sunlight could be used. Though only a portion of the solar spectrum is ~~useable~~, and the process would likely be highly energy inefficient, the use of sunlight directly avoids the use of highly inefficient lasers (typically less than 2% ~~efficent~~), any electricity production, storage or transportation, as well as the machinery required to produce lasers. The light that is not absorbed by the semiconductors could be used for further purposes, and the heat generated could be used to distill the methanol (thus allowing for a continuous rather than batch production). Also, the process proceeds more easily at higher temperatures.		Direct focused sunlight could be used. Though only a portion of the solar spectrum is usable, and the process would likely be highly energy inefficient, the use of sunlight directly avoids the use of highly inefficient lasers (typically less than 2% efficient), any electricity production, storage or transportation, as well as the machinery required to produce lasers. The light that is not absorbed by the semiconductors could be used for further purposes, and the heat generated could be used to distill the methanol (thus allowing for a continuous rather than batch production). Also, the process proceeds more easily at higher temperatures.

	==Related==		==Related==
Line 35:		Line 28:

	==See Also==		==See Also==
	* [[Methanol]]		* OSE Wiki: [[Methanol]], [[Methane Digester]], [[Biofuel]]
	* [[Methane Digester]]		* Wikipedia: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methane Methane], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanol Methanol], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanol_fuel Methanol fuel]
	* [[Biofuel]]

	* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methane ~~Wikipedia:~~ Methane]
	* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanol ~~Wikipedia:~~ Methanol]
	* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanol_fuel Methanol fuel ~~Wikipedia~~]
	* [http://chestofbooks.com/food/beverages/Alcohol-Properties/Production.html Production Of Methyl Alcohol]		* [http://chestofbooks.com/food/beverages/Alcohol-Properties/Production.html Production Of Methyl Alcohol]
	* [http://chestofbooks.com/food/beverages/Alcohol-Properties/Rectification.html Rectification Of Methyl Alcohol]		* [http://chestofbooks.com/food/beverages/Alcohol-Properties/Rectification.html Rectification Of Methyl Alcohol]

Rasmus: lots of minor stylistic edits

2012-04-06T18:58:11Z

lots of minor stylistic edits

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:58, 6 April 2012
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{Category=Biofuel}}		{{Category=Biofuel}}
	Methane is produced naturally by methanobacteria breaking down organic material in ~~mammal~~ intestines. Cultures of these bacteria in methane digesters can turn animal and vegetable waste into useful biogas. Although very ~~useful~~ for cooking food, heating water and other household related tasks, there are barriers to using biogas to propel internal combustion powered ~~vehicals~~. In addition to methane, biogas also contains other variable components such as hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen, which are corrosive. These need to be removed ~~before~~ upgrading. Several thousand Pounds per square inch, hundreds of times atmospheric pressure, are needed to compress the gas to useful densities. Liquefying it requires greater pressures and perhaps very low temperatures.		Methane is produced naturally by methanobacteria breaking down organic material in the intestines of mammals. Cultures of these bacteria in methane digesters can turn animal and vegetable waste into useful biogas. Although very convenient for cooking food, heating water and other household related tasks, there are barriers to using biogas to propel internal combustion-powered vehicles. In addition to methane, biogas also contains other variable components such as hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen, which are corrosive. Carbon dioxide is often up to one third of the biogas volume. These need to be removed for many uses ("upgrading") such as feeding into existing natgas infrastructure ("biomethane"). Several thousand Pounds per square inch, hundreds of times atmospheric pressure, are needed to compress the gas to useful densities. Liquefying it requires greater pressures and perhaps very low temperatures.

	~~Methane~~ is chemically very similar ~~to the~~ liquid fuel methanol (CH4 and CH3OH, where one hydrogen is replaced by a hydroxyl). Industrially, ~~Methane~~ is converted to methanol by partial oxidation to hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide (synthesis gas or ~~syn gas~~) at high temperatures (several hundred degrees Celsius) in a process called cracking. Syngas is then catalytically converted to methanol over a copper or platinum surface, also at a couple hundred degrees Celsius. This process is only around five or ten percent efficient due to accidental total oxidation to carbon dioxide and water.		The solution is to convert methane to the chemically very similar but liquid fuel methanol (CH4 and CH3OH, where one hydrogen is replaced by a hydroxyl group). Industrially, methane is converted to methanol by partial oxidation to hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide (synthesis gas or syngas) at high temperatures (several hundred degrees Celsius) in a process called cracking. Syngas is then catalytically converted to methanol over a copper or platinum surface, also at a couple hundred degrees Celsius. This process is only around five or ten percent efficient due to accidental total oxidation to carbon dioxide and water.

	If one could simply replace one hydrogen with a hydroxyl, there would be no need to produce syngas and run the risk of complete oxidation. The recent field of photocatalysis offers another pathway to liquid fuel from methane. Here, ~~ultra violet~~ light breaks water into a hydrogen and hydroxyl free radical, which are highly reactive. When a hydroxyl radical reacts with a methane molecule, a hydrogen is displaced and methanol is produced. With the use of tungsten oxide or a similar semiconductor, photons of lower energy than ultraviolet (down to blue) can be used.		If one could simply replace one hydrogen with a hydroxyl, there would be no need to produce syngas and run the risk of complete oxidation. The recent field of photocatalysis offers another pathway to liquid fuel from methane. Here, ultraviolet light breaks water into a hydrogen and hydroxyl free radical, which are highly reactive. When a hydroxyl radical reacts with a methane molecule, a hydrogen is displaced and methanol is produced. With the use of tungsten oxide or a similar semiconductor, photons of lower energy than ultraviolet (down to blue) can be used.

	This process has been demonstrated by several groups using ultraviolet flash bulbs and also with lasers.		This process has been demonstrated by several groups using ultraviolet flash bulbs and also with lasers.
Line 27:		Line 27:

	==Assessment==		==Assessment==
	Direct focused sunlight could be used. Though only a portion of the solar spectrum is useable, and the process would likely be highly energy inefficient, the use of sunlight directly avoids the use of highly inefficient lasers (typically less than 2% efficent), any electricity production, storage or transportation, as well as the machinery required to produce lasers. The light that is not absorbed by the semiconductors could be used for further purposes, and the heat generated could be used to distill the methanol (thus allowing for a continuous rather than batch production). Also, the process proceeds more easily at higher temperatures.		Direct focused sunlight could be used. Though only a portion of the solar spectrum is useable, and the process would likely be highly energy inefficient, the use of sunlight directly avoids the use of highly inefficient lasers (typically less than 2% efficent), any electricity production, storage or transportation, as well as the machinery required to produce lasers. The light that is not absorbed by the semiconductors could be used for further purposes, and the heat generated could be used to distill the methanol (thus allowing for a continuous rather than batch production). Also, the process proceeds more easily at higher temperatures.

	==Related==		==Related==

Chris F: /* See Also */

2011-09-11T04:44:01Z

Chris F: /* See Also */

2011-09-11T04:43:32Z

Chris F: /* See Also */

2011-09-11T04:35:10Z

Chris F: /* External links */

2011-09-11T04:34:43Z

External links

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:34, 11 September 2011
Line 34:		Line 34:
	* [http://www.physorg.com/news177164574.html Energy-saving powder: Converting methane to methanol]		* [http://www.physorg.com/news177164574.html Energy-saving powder: Converting methane to methanol]

	==~~External links~~==		==See Also==

	* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methane Methane Wikipedia]		* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methane Methane Wikipedia]
	* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanol Methanol Wikipedia]		* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanol Methanol Wikipedia]
	* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanol_fuel Methanol fuel Wikipedia]		* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanol_fuel Methanol fuel Wikipedia]
	* ~~Section on Production Of Methyl Alcohol, also covering byproducts~~ [http://chestofbooks.com/food/beverages/Alcohol-Properties/Production.html]		* [http://chestofbooks.com/food/beverages/Alcohol-Properties/Production.html Production Of Methyl Alcohol]
	* ~~Section on Rectification Of Methyl Alcohol~~ [http://chestofbooks.com/food/beverages/Alcohol-Properties/Rectification.html]		* [http://chestofbooks.com/food/beverages/Alcohol-Properties/Rectification.html Rectification Of Methyl Alcohol]

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:44, 11 September 2011
Line 39:		Line 39:
	* [[Biofuel]]		* [[Biofuel]]

	* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methane Methane ~~Wikipedia~~]		* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methane Wikipedia: Methane]
	* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanol Methanol ~~Wikipedia~~]		* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanol Wikipedia: Methanol]
	* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanol_fuel Methanol fuel Wikipedia]		* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanol_fuel Methanol fuel Wikipedia]
	* [http://chestofbooks.com/food/beverages/Alcohol-Properties/Production.html Production Of Methyl Alcohol]		* [http://chestofbooks.com/food/beverages/Alcohol-Properties/Production.html Production Of Methyl Alcohol]
	* [http://chestofbooks.com/food/beverages/Alcohol-Properties/Rectification.html Rectification Of Methyl Alcohol]		* [http://chestofbooks.com/food/beverages/Alcohol-Properties/Rectification.html Rectification Of Methyl Alcohol]

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:43, 11 September 2011
Line 36:		Line 36:
	==See Also==		==See Also==
	* [[Methanol]]		* [[Methanol]]
			* [[Methane Digester]]
	* [[Biofuel]]		* [[Biofuel]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:35, 11 September 2011
Line 35:		Line 35:

	==See Also==		==See Also==
			* [[Methanol]]
			* [[Biofuel]]

	* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methane Methane Wikipedia]		* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methane Methane Wikipedia]