Methanol appears as a colorless fairly volatile liquid with a faintly sweet pungent odor like that of ethyl alcohol. Completely mixes with water. The vapors are slightly heavier than air and may travel some distance to a source of ignition and flash back.
Any accumulation of vapors in confined spaces, such as buildings or sewers, may explode if ignited. Used to make chemicals, to remove water from automotive and aviation fuels, as a solvent for paints and plastics, and as an ingredient in a wide variety of products.
METHANOL PRODCTION
This fuel is generally produced by steam-reforming natural gas to create a synthesis gas. Feeding this synthesis gas into a reactor with a catalyst produces methanol and water vapor. Various feed stocks can produce methanol, but natural gas is currently the most economical.
METHANOL BENEFITS
Methanol can be an alternative to conventional transportation fuels. The benefits of methanol include:
Lower production costs
Methanol is cheap to produce relative to other alternative fuels.
Improved safety
Methanol has a lower risk of flammability compared to gasoline.
Increased energy security
Methanol can be manufactured from a variety of domestic carbon-based feedstocks, such as biomass, natural gas, and coal.