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).

Overview

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

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
• http://www.r3sciences.com/biomass.html

DME from methanol

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

See Also

• Gasifier, Pyrolysis Oil, Biofuels

Useful Links

• The Wikipedia Page on Methanol
• Mother Earth News Article (1981): "Make Way for Methanol Fuel"
• A youtubevideo update by a group attempting lab scale syngas to methanol conversion, not sucessful yet, but worth following