Methanol fuel
806181
222248864
2008-06-28T09:30:35Z
24.2.20.158
/* Use as internal combustion engine fuel */
{{Otheruses4|Methanol used as a fuel|other alcohols used as fuels|Alcohol fuel}}
[[Methanol]] has been proposed as a fuel for internal combustion and other engines, mainly in combination with gasoline. [[Methanol fuel]] has received less attention than [[ethanol fuel]] as an alternative to hydrocarbon fuel. However, in 2005 [[Nobel prize]] winner [[George A. Olah]] advocated an entire [[methanol economy]] based on energy storage in synthetically produced methanol, in an essay and in 2006 he and two co-authors published a book around this theme.
==History and production==
Historically, methanol was first produced from pyrolysis of wood, resulting in its common English name of [[wood alcohol]]. Presently, methanol is usually produced using [[methane]] (the chief constituent of [[natural gas]]) as a raw material. It may also be produced by [[pyrolysis]] of many organic materials or by [[Fischer-Tropsch_process|Fischer Tropsch]] from [[synthetic gas]]. Production of methanol from synthesis gas using [[Biomass-to-liquid|Biomass-To-Liquid]] can offer methanol production from biomass at efficiencies up to 75%. Widespread production by this route has a postulated potential (see Olah reference above) to offer methanol fuel at a low cost and with benefits to the environment. These production methods, however, are not suitable for small scale production.
==Use as internal combustion engine fuel==
Both methanol and ethanol burn at lower temperatures than gasoline, and both are less volatile, making engine starting in cold weather difficult. Using methanol as a fuel in spark ignition engines can offer an increased thermal efficiency and increased power output (as compared to gasoline) due to its high octane rating (114<ref>Burton, George; Holman, John; Lazonby, John (2000). ''Salters Advanced Chemistry: Chemical Storylines (2nd ed.)''. Heinemann. ISBN 0-435-63119-5</ref>) and high heat of vaporisation. However, its low energy content of 19.7 MJ/kg and [[stoichiometric]] air fuel ratio of 6.42:1 mean that fuel consumption (on volume or mass basis) will be higher than hydrocarbon fuels. The extra water produced also makes the charge rather wet and combined with the formation of acidic products during combustion, the wearing of valves, valveseats and cylinder can be higher than with hydrocarbon burning. Certain additives may be added to motor oil in order to neutralize these acids.
Methanol, just like ethanol, contains soluble and insoluble contaminents <ref>Brinkman, N., Halsall, R., Jorgensen, S.W., & Kirwan, J.E., "The Development Of Improved Fuel Specifications for Methanol (M85) amd Ethanol (Ed85), SAE Technical Paper 940764</ref>. These soluble contaminants, halide ions such as cloride ions, have a large effect on the corrositivity of alcohol fuels. Halide ions increase corrosion in two ways; they chemically attack passivating oxide films on several metals causing pitting corrosion, and they increase the conductivity of the fuel. Increased electrical conductivity promotes electric, galvanic, and ordinary corrosion in the fuel system. Soluble contaminents, such as aluminumhydroxide, itself a product of corrosion by halide ions, clog the fuel system over time.
Methanol is [[hygroscopic]], meaning it will absorb water vapor directly from the atmosphere.[http://www.methanex.com/products/faqs.html] Because absorbed water dilutes the fuel value of the methanol (although, it supresses engine knock), and may cause phase separation of methanol-gasoline blends, containers of methanol fuels must be kept tightly sealed, and cannot be stored for long periods once opened.
==Toxicity==
Methanol is extremely poisonous; less than a cup can cause permanent blindness or death, and it doesn't have to be swallowed to be dangerous since the liquid can be absorbed through the skin, and the vapors through the lungs. US maximum allowed exposure in air (40 h/week) is 1900 mg/m³ for ethanol, 900 mg/m³ for gasoline, and 260 mg/m³ for methanol. However, it is less volatile than gasoline, and therefore decreases evaporative emissions. In the liver, methanol is metabolised into two potent toxins: [[formaldehyde]] (used as a preservative for dead organic matter in laboratories), and [[formic acid]] (the poison found in ant stings). Use of methanol, like ethanol, significantly reduces the emissions of certain hydrocarbon-related toxins such as benzene and 1,3 butadiene.
==Safety==
Since methanol vapour is heavier than air, it will linger close to the ground or in a pit unless there is good ventilation, and if the concentration of methanol is above 6.7% in air it can be lit by a spark, and will explode above 54 F / 12 C. Once ablaze, the flames give out very little light making it very hard to see the fire or even estimate its size, especially in bright daylight. If you are unlucky enough to be exposed to the poisonous substance through your breathing system, its pungent odor should give you some warning of its presence. However, it is difficult to smell methanol in the air at less than 2,000 ppm (0.2%).
==Use in racing==
Beginning in 1965, pure [[methanol]] was used in [[United States Auto Club]] competition for its series, which then included the Indianapolis 500.
A seven-car crash on the second lap of the [[1964 Indianapolis 500]] resulted in [[United States Auto Club|USAC]]'s decision to mandate methanol. [[Eddie Sachs]] and [[Dave MacDonald]] died in the crash when their [[gasoline]]-fueled cars exploded. The gasoline-triggered fire created a dangerous cloud of thick black smoke, which completely blocked the view of the track for oncoming cars. [[Johnny Rutherford]], one of the other drivers involved, drove a methanol-fueled car which also leaked following the crash. While this car burned from the impact of the first fireball, it formed a much lesser inferno than the gasoline cars, and one that burned invisibly. That testimony, and pressure from '''[[Indianapolis Star]]''' writer George Moore, led to the switch to alcohol fuel in 1965.
Methanol is currently used by the [[Champ Car]] circuit and many short track organizations, especially midget, sprint cars and [[speedway]] bikes. Pure methanol was used by the [[Indy Racing League|IRL]] until the 2006 season.
In 2006, in partnership with the [[ethanol]] industry, the [[Indy Racing League|IRL]] used a mixture of 10% ethanol and 90% methanol as its fuel. For the 2007 season , the IRL will use pure [[ethanol fuel|ethanol]], E100. <ref>[http://www.indy500.com/news/story.php?story_id=4105 More About Ethanol]</ref>
Methanol fuel is also used extensively in [[drag racing]], primarily in the [[Top Alcohol]] category.
[[Formula One]] racing continues to use [[gasoline]] as its fuel, but in pre war grand prix racing methanol was often used in the fuel.
==Methanol fuel programs in the U.S. and other nations==
The State of California ran an experimental program from 1980 to 1990 which allowed anyone to convert a gasoline vehicle to 85% methanol with 15% additives of choice. Over 500 vehicles were converted to high compression and dedicated use of the 85/15 methanol and ethanol, with great results. Detroit was not willing to produce any methanol or ethanol vehicles without government subsidy.
In 1982 the big three were each given $5,000,000 for design and contracts for 5,000 vehicles to be bought by the State. That was the beginning of the low compression "FLEX-FUEL" vehicles which we can still buy today.
In 2005, California's Governor, [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]], terminated the use of methanol after 25 years and 200,000,000 miles of success, to join the expanding use of ethanol driven by producers of corn. In spite of this, he was optimistic about the future of the program, claiming "it will be back." Ethanol is currently (as of 2007) priced at 3 to 4 dollars per gallon, while methanol made from natural gas remains at 1 dollar per gallon.
A drive to add a significant percentage of methanol to gasoline got very close to implementation in [[Brazil]], following a pilot test set up by a group of scientists involving blending gasoline with methanol between 1989 and 1992. The larger-scale pilot experiment that was to be conducted in [[São Paulo (city)|São Paulo]] was vetoed at the last minute by the city's mayor, out of concern for the health of gas station workers (who are mostly illiterate and could not be expected to follow safety precautions). [[As of 2006]], the idea has not resurfaced.
==See also==
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*[[Alcohol fuel]]
*[[Ethanol fuel]]
*[[List of energy topics]]
*[[Liquid fuels]]
*[[Methanol economy]]
*[[Oil crisis]]
*[[Timeline of alcohol fuel]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://e85.whipnet.net/yellow/m85.2.html Methanol Safety Concerns, Advantages and Corrosive properties]
*[http://www.netl.doe.gov/technologies/coalpower/cctc/topicalreports/pdfs/topical11.pdf Commercial Scale Demonstration of the Liquid Phase Methanol Process, Dept. of Energy] Production of methanol by Clean Coal power plants for $.50 - .60 per gallon.
*[http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/altfuel/methanol.html DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center - Methanol]
*[http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5369301 Methanol as an alternative fuel] Recording of a discussion with [[Nobel Prize|Nobel]] laureate [[George Andrew Olah|George Olah]] broadcast on [[National Public Radio|NPR]].
*[http://www.taemag.com/issues/articleID.18976/article_detail.asp An Energy Revolution by Robert Zubrin] Mandating Flexible Fuel Vehicles to run on ethanol and methanol as well as gasoline will defund oil producers who are funding terrorists. The cost per car is $100 - $800.
[[Category:Fuels]]
[[Category:Alternative propulsion]]
[[es:metanol (combustible)]]