84
Alternative Fuels for Transportation
et al. 2004c). Methanol can be blended with diesel fuel although its corrosive
nature creates a need for caution in the design of the engine and fuel system
like in ethanol. Methanol has half the volumetric energy density relative to
gasoline or diesel. It is usually mixed in percentages ranging from 5 to 85%.
The combination rate of methanol in the fuel is 85%, which is called M85.
At the same time, the aldehyde compound that comes along with burning
methanol forms a strong acid. Therefore, the researchers should pay more
attention to this fuel (Pons 2009; Tzeng, Lin, and Opricovic 2005).
4.2.3 Dimethyl ether
Methanol can be used to make methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), which
is blended with gasoline to enhance octane and create cleaner burning
fuel. But MTBE production and use also has disadvantages because it contaminates groundwater (http://www.ceert.org 2009). The closely related
derivative of methanol, dimethyl ether (DME) is a highly desirable alternative fuel. It is generally produced by dehydration of methanol. Also it has
been known as an ultra-clean fuel, which can be used in diesel engines,
households, power generation, and for other purposes. Due to the huge
market potential, the research on DME synthesis and its utilization have
been attracting more and more interest. DME is also produced mainly
from synthesis gas through methanol synthesis and methanol dehydration known as the two-step process (Jia, Tan, and Han 2006). Because of its
high cetane number and favorable combustion properties, it is a particularly
effective fuel for diesel engines. DME blends well with gasoline or diesel to
be used as fuels in internal combustion engines or electricity generators.
DME is also a potential substitute for liquefied natural gas (LNG) and LPG
for heating homes and in industrial uses (Olah and Prakash 2006). Another
methanol derivative is dimethyl carbonate (DMC), which can be obtained
by converting methanol with phosgene or by oxidative carbonylation of the
methanol. DMC has a high cetane rating, and can be blended into diesel fuel
in a concentration up to 10%, reducing fuel viscosity and improving emissions (Olah and Prakash 2006).
4.2.4 Biodiesel Production ingredient
Another way to use methanol in diesel engines and generators is through
biodiesel. Biodiesel can be produced from a large variety of vegetable oils
and animal fats that react with methanol in a transesterification process to
produce biodiesel. Biodiesel can be blended without major problems with
regular diesel oil in any proportion (Olah, Goeppert, and Prakash 2006).
Methanol and its derivatives (such as DME, DMC, and biodiesel) have many
existing and potential uses. They can be used, for example, as a substitute
fuel for diesel engine powered cars with only minor modifications to the
existing engines and fuel systems (Olah and Prakash 2006).
Alternative Fuels for Transportation
et al. 2004c). Methanol can be blended with diesel fuel although its corrosive
nature creates a need for caution in the design of the engine and fuel system
like in ethanol. Methanol has half the volumetric energy density relative to
gasoline or diesel. It is usually mixed in percentages ranging from 5 to 85%.
The combination rate of methanol in the fuel is 85%, which is called M85.
At the same time, the aldehyde compound that comes along with burning
methanol forms a strong acid. Therefore, the researchers should pay more
attention to this fuel (Pons 2009; Tzeng, Lin, and Opricovic 2005).
4.2.3 Dimethyl ether
Methanol can be used to make methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), which
is blended with gasoline to enhance octane and create cleaner burning
fuel. But MTBE production and use also has disadvantages because it contaminates groundwater (http://www.ceert.org 2009). The closely related
derivative of methanol, dimethyl ether (DME) is a highly desirable alternative fuel. It is generally produced by dehydration of methanol. Also it has
been known as an ultra-clean fuel, which can be used in diesel engines,
households, power generation, and for other purposes. Due to the huge
market potential, the research on DME synthesis and its utilization have
been attracting more and more interest. DME is also produced mainly
from synthesis gas through methanol synthesis and methanol dehydration known as the two-step process (Jia, Tan, and Han 2006). Because of its
high cetane number and favorable combustion properties, it is a particularly
effective fuel for diesel engines. DME blends well with gasoline or diesel to
be used as fuels in internal combustion engines or electricity generators.
DME is also a potential substitute for liquefied natural gas (LNG) and LPG
for heating homes and in industrial uses (Olah and Prakash 2006). Another
methanol derivative is dimethyl carbonate (DMC), which can be obtained
by converting methanol with phosgene or by oxidative carbonylation of the
methanol. DMC has a high cetane rating, and can be blended into diesel fuel
in a concentration up to 10%, reducing fuel viscosity and improving emissions (Olah and Prakash 2006).
4.2.4 Biodiesel Production ingredient
Another way to use methanol in diesel engines and generators is through
biodiesel. Biodiesel can be produced from a large variety of vegetable oils
and animal fats that react with methanol in a transesterification process to
produce biodiesel. Biodiesel can be blended without major problems with
regular diesel oil in any proportion (Olah, Goeppert, and Prakash 2006).
Methanol and its derivatives (such as DME, DMC, and biodiesel) have many
existing and potential uses. They can be used, for example, as a substitute
fuel for diesel engine powered cars with only minor modifications to the
existing engines and fuel systems (Olah and Prakash 2006).