Methanol

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).

Basics

Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol, wood alcohol, wood naphtha or wood spirits, is a chemical with the formula CH3OH (often abbreviated MeOH). It is the simplest alcohol, and is a light, volatile, colorless, flammable liquid with a distinctive odor very similar to, but slightly sweeter than, ethanol (drinking alcohol).[4] At room temperature, it is a polar liquid, and is used as an antifreeze, solvent, fuel, and as a denaturant for ethanol.

Methanol from Syngas

• Syngas is reacted with a catalyst at high temperature and pressure forming methanol and water, which is then concentrated by distillation and/or molecular seives
• R3 Sciences has developed a unique modular system capable of converting synthesis gas produced from biomass into a valuable liquid fuel co-product. Processing biomass through solid gasification, The R3 GTL : Methanol process converts the biomass-generated synthesis gas into methanol. The modular system is designed to allow placement at remote locations to meet supply availability of biomass feedstock.
• http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/progs/view_citation.php?10828/METH/print (Dead Link, Needs Fixing)
• http://www.r3sciences.com/biomass.html

Catalyst Sourcing

• Typical Syngas to Methanol Catalysts are Zinc Oxide, and Chromium or Copper, on a Substrate (Typically Zeolite or Carbon)
• [*http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/progs/view_citation.php?10828/METH/print (Dead Link, Needs Fixing)
• A Possible Source for a Copper-Zinc Oxide Pellitized Catalyst

DME from Methanol

The best routes for making dimethylether (DME, a biodiesel equivalent fuel) are from methanol via transesterification reaction.

Potential Concerns

Health

• Toxic if Ingested
  • This is why any sort of distilled alcoholic beverage, but especially “moonshine” / vodka etc (Albeit if done recklessly wrong; people who discard the first bit that flows out etc don’t have this issue) has that risk of Methanol making you go blind
  • Also an issue with desperate people drinking Sterno / Fuel Alcohol / Denatured Alcohol (where the Ethanol is mixed with Methanol to make it “undrinlable” due to toxicity; a highly bitter powder can be used instead, or in addition to this
• Also a risk in terms of leakage from Underground Storage Tanks (this is related to the Octane Booster MTBE )
  • Although improvements in UST

To-Do’s

• Find REL / PEL ‘s for Methanol Vapor
  • Also translate that into risk profile of Fueling Stations / using a Jerry Can + Funnel (or loosely fitting aftermarket fill nozzle) versus a Vapor Recovery System tight fitting minimal leaking vapor nozzle etc
  • Also in terms of use as Rubbing Alcohol or an Emergency Fuel in Alcohol Stoves / Alcohol Heaters etc)

Internal Links

• Gasifier
• Pyrolysis Oil
• Biofuels
• Pressure Reactor
• Methanol-Water Injection
• Methanol to Olefins

External Links

• The Wikipedia Page on Methanol
• Mother Earth News Article (1981): "Make Way for Methanol Fuel"
• A youtube video update by a group attempting lab scale syngas to methanol conversion, not sucessful yet, but worth following
• http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/progs/view_citation.php?10828/METH/print (Dead Link, Needs Fixing)
• http://www.r3sciences.com/biomass.html
• http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/progs/view_citation.php?10828/METH/print (Dead Link, Needs Fixing)
• This Possible Catalyst Source for Synagas Based Production