Methanol
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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
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