Methanol
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conventional fuels. The methanol production technologies have already been
proven in practice. They are reliable and widely used (alcohol production).
The important advantages of methanol as a fuel are higher energy content per
volume than other alternative fuels such as compressed natural gas (CNG)
or LPG and the minimal changes needed in the existing fuel distribution
network. Methanol can considerably reduce automotive emissions and may
require some additives because of its fuel properties. It can be used directly
as a replacement for gasoline in the gasoline and diesel blends. Higher octane
number allows higher compression and following better effectiveness of the
engine (De Alwis, Mohamad, and Mehrotra 2009; Enersol EU 2004).
The reason for research is how to use it in fuel cells as methanol has high
ratio of hydrogen atoms and much higher energetic density than liquid
hydrogen. Methanol can be made from corn cobs, wood or other forms of
cellulose have lower emissions of all harming elements (20–70%). Methanol
is furthermore cheaper than ethanol. Handling methanol is easier than
gasoline, because it is safer in accidents and fire extinction can be done with
water, because water dilutes it (Enersol EU 2004). Methanol is also favored
over conventional fuels because of its lower ozone-forming potential, lower
emissions of pollutants particularly benzene, PAHs, sulfur compounds, and
low-evaporative emissions.
Methanol is highly corrosive and toxic when ingested or absorbed through
the skin. Methanol causes stain of metal parts, removes oil from places where it
is needed, and negatively affects plastic parts. Because of methanol’s corrosive
qualities, engine parts needed to be frequently replaced. Methanol vehicles produce a significant amount of formaldehyde. Compared to conventional fuels,
its disadvantages include the possibility of higher CH 2 O emissions, higher
acute toxicity and lower cost-effectiveness (De Alwis, Mohamad, and Mehrotra
2009). Methanol vehicles produce a significant amount of formaldehyde.
Burning methanol is invisible. Starting the engines under the freezing
point is also difficult. Warming the fuel similar to diesel helps to solve
this problem. A further problem is the CH 2 O smell when the engine is
cold started. Catalysts help to shorten it by 2 minutes. Definitive elimination of these emissions can be assured by a system of warming the damp
before inlet into the catalyst. The energy value of methanol is half of diesel. Because there is less energy in M85 than in gasoline, the driving range
of vehicles operating on M85 is less. Therefore the vehicles need double
the amount of fuel to the same place of destination (Enersol EU 2004).
4.9 Further Studies
These suggestions will provide additional information about the methanol
fuel properties and about its effect on the engine performance, emissions,
121
conventional fuels. The methanol production technologies have already been
proven in practice. They are reliable and widely used (alcohol production).
The important advantages of methanol as a fuel are higher energy content per
volume than other alternative fuels such as compressed natural gas (CNG)
or LPG and the minimal changes needed in the existing fuel distribution
network. Methanol can considerably reduce automotive emissions and may
require some additives because of its fuel properties. It can be used directly
as a replacement for gasoline in the gasoline and diesel blends. Higher octane
number allows higher compression and following better effectiveness of the
engine (De Alwis, Mohamad, and Mehrotra 2009; Enersol EU 2004).
The reason for research is how to use it in fuel cells as methanol has high
ratio of hydrogen atoms and much higher energetic density than liquid
hydrogen. Methanol can be made from corn cobs, wood or other forms of
cellulose have lower emissions of all harming elements (20–70%). Methanol
is furthermore cheaper than ethanol. Handling methanol is easier than
gasoline, because it is safer in accidents and fire extinction can be done with
water, because water dilutes it (Enersol EU 2004). Methanol is also favored
over conventional fuels because of its lower ozone-forming potential, lower
emissions of pollutants particularly benzene, PAHs, sulfur compounds, and
low-evaporative emissions.
Methanol is highly corrosive and toxic when ingested or absorbed through
the skin. Methanol causes stain of metal parts, removes oil from places where it
is needed, and negatively affects plastic parts. Because of methanol’s corrosive
qualities, engine parts needed to be frequently replaced. Methanol vehicles produce a significant amount of formaldehyde. Compared to conventional fuels,
its disadvantages include the possibility of higher CH 2 O emissions, higher
acute toxicity and lower cost-effectiveness (De Alwis, Mohamad, and Mehrotra
2009). Methanol vehicles produce a significant amount of formaldehyde.
Burning methanol is invisible. Starting the engines under the freezing
point is also difficult. Warming the fuel similar to diesel helps to solve
this problem. A further problem is the CH 2 O smell when the engine is
cold started. Catalysts help to shorten it by 2 minutes. Definitive elimination of these emissions can be assured by a system of warming the damp
before inlet into the catalyst. The energy value of methanol is half of diesel. Because there is less energy in M85 than in gasoline, the driving range
of vehicles operating on M85 is less. Therefore the vehicles need double
the amount of fuel to the same place of destination (Enersol EU 2004).
4.9 Further Studies
These suggestions will provide additional information about the methanol
fuel properties and about its effect on the engine performance, emissions,