Methanol

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.

Related Pages

• Gasifier, Pyrolysis Oil, Biofuels

See Also

• Wikipedia: Methanol
• Mother Earth News (1981): "Make Way for Methanol Fuel"