Using Methanol As A Fuel Additive
Methanol is the simplest compound in the alcohol group. It is a chemical combination of methane with one hydroxyl radical that replaces one hydrogen molecule during reaction. Methanol is currently being looked upon as a biofuel for future. |
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For use as an alternative fuel, methanol has many pros. It reduces harmful exhaust emissions from the engines, lends high power performance to the vehicle and is not flammable like gasoline. Its best advantage is that it is produced using biodegradable materials. At present, methanol is not being used in its pure form. 85% of it is added to 15% of gasoline to increase fuel efficiency. The latest internal combustion engines utilize liquid fuels for operating. These engines require few or none modifications to make them suited to running on methanol. Even without any changes the engines can make optimum use of gasoline fuel mixed with methanol. As a result of adding methanol to the fuel, emission of gases like sulphur based HC, CO and NO are greatly reduced.
Methanol has a high octane number but its energy levels are only half per gallon compared to gasoline. If methanol is compressed at a higher ratio, it could result in output of 5 to 20 per cent more power. Production of methanol as a fuel additive is not very easy. The cost of the production is almost in sync with natural fuel costs when methanol is obtained from natural gas. If methanol is produced by burning wood, the cost of production increases two times. Methanol has been experimentally made from coal and biomass. However, this has taken place only in the labs so its mass production via this method hasn’t been done yet. If used as a gasoline additive, methanol shows positive results. But it needs to be mixed with an antiknock compound and fuel extender. This way it is also economical to use methanol. If methanol is to be utilized in its pure form, fuel tanks would have to be increased in size or the running capacity of the engine between two refill stations will be very low.
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Fuel additives are compounds that are added to natural fuel like gasoline and diesel. These additives increase the efficiency of the fossil fuels and reduce the release of toxic gases emissions from the engines. The need of the hour is to discover additives that can better the performance of the engine, are non-pollutants and most importantly, cost effective. 
