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Methanol fuel is an alternative biofuel for internal combustion and other engines, either in combination with gasoline or independently. Methanol (CH 3 OH) is less expensive to sustainably produce than ethanol fuel , although it is more toxic than ethanol and has a lower energy density than gasoline .
Catalytic combustion is a chemical process which uses a catalyst to speed desired oxidation reactions of fuel and so reduce the formation of undesired products, especially pollutant nitrogen oxide gases (NO x) far below what can be achieved without catalysts. The process was discovered in the 1950s by Catalytic Combustion LLC.
The Monsanto process is an industrial method for the manufacture of acetic acid by catalytic carbonylation of methanol. [1] The Monsanto process has largely been supplanted by the Cativa process, a similar iridium-based process developed by BP Chemicals Ltd, which is more economical and environmentally friendly.
Methanol is a promising energy carrier because, as a liquid, it is easier to store than hydrogen and natural gas. Its energy density is, however, lower than methane, per kg. Its combustion energy density is 15.6 MJ/L , whereas that of ethanol is 24 and gasoline is 33 MJ/L.
Methanol can be made from a chemical reaction of a carbon-dioxide molecule with three hydrogen molecules to produce methanol and water. The stored energy can be recovered by burning the methanol in a combustion engine, releasing carbon dioxide, water, and heat. Methane can be produced in a similar reaction.
The fuel cartridge stores the methanol fuel. Depending on the system design either 100% methanol (IMPCA industrial standard) or a mixture of methanol with up to 40 vol% water is usually used as fuel for the RMFC system. 100% methanol results in lower fuel consumption than water-methanol mixture (Premix) but goes along with higher fuel cell system complexity for condensing of cathode moisture.
Chemical uses include the production of methanol which is a precursor to acetic acid and many acetates; liquid fuels and lubricants via the Fischer–Tropsch process and previously the Mobil methanol to gasoline process; ammonia via the Haber process, which converts atmospheric nitrogen (N 2) into ammonia which is used as a fertilizer; and oxo ...
The foremost challenge in catalytic oxidation is the conversion of methane to methanol. Most methane is stranded, i.e. not located near metropolitan areas. Consequently, it is flared (converted to carbon dioxide). One challenge is that methanol is more easily oxidized than is methane. [3]