What Is Methanol?

Methanol - Is it on Its Way Out?

Methanol is an alternative fuel made from the woody part of plant fiber, coal or natural gas. It is mixed with gasoline for vehicle use. It can also be harvested from methane gas in landfills as well as fermented waste products like manure and sewage.

Methanol is not used as a stand-alone car fuel except maybe as racing fuel. For normal road vehicles it is mixed with gasoline to create what is called M85. M85 is 85% methanol combined with and 15% gasoline. It is also used in bio-diesel mixtures.

Benefits Of Methanol

. lower emissions
. higher vehicle performance
. Is easily converted into hydrogen (possible use with hydrogen fuel cells)
. Lower risk of flammability when compared to gasoline

Disadvantages Of Methanol

. emission contain high traces of formaldehyde
. produces half the power content of gasoline (a 50 percent energy ratio)
. extremely corrosive deteriorating non-synthetic and rubber fuel system parts

Methanol is more corrosive than gasoline, but less toxic. Buying methanol supports farmers and is cheaper than its sister fuel alternative ethanol, which is gaining more popularity.

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