Methanol and Ethanol Fuel Alternatives

Kendall Hamm and Emily Huneycutt

Combustion- typically used in internal combustion engines.- creates a force (through combustion) that turns a turbine, piston, etc. to

generate movement within the engine

Machinery and Processes-ethanol is most commonly collected from corn but can hypothetically be a product of the fermentation of any grain. - the grain is 1. collected.2. milled down (crushed).3. cooked (with yeast to promote enzyme growth).4. this cooked down grain is then liquefied and solids are removed.5. the liquefied grain is then fermented over several days.6. the final step is distilling the alcohol to the correct level depending on its final destination as a fuel.

-methanol is created through a similar process (methanol is not as commonly used in the US)

1. after fermentation has occurred the alcohol undergoes desulphurization to remove sulphur impurities and water.

2. the alcohol then is synthesised through compression which separates a mixture of about 68% methanol 31% water out.

3. the final step is distillation.

Energy Efficiency RatioEthanol- 31.1 MJ/kg 84,600 BTU/US gallonMethanol- 19.9 MJ/kg 64,600 BTU/US gallon

(a dish of ethanol aflame)

Where?-Methanol: Substitute for liquid transportation fuel,

used in the making of adhesives, antifreeze, and

cooking applications,as well as the making of some

dyes.

-Ethanol: Used in perfumes, explosives, fuel, paints,

and adhesives

Problems & SolutionsMethanol:

-Problem: The combustion of methanol results in substantial emissions which are possible human carcinogens and causes of ozone smog

-Solution: This problem cannot necessarily be mitigated unless scientists find a way to clean the methanol and free it of carcinogens

Ethanol: -Problem: The production of ethanol takes more

energy than the fuel itself generates and requires

a large amount of land for production

-Solution: Create a more efficient way of

producing ethanol that uses less land

Advantages vs. DisadvantagesMethanol Ethanol

Advantages-Reduces emissions-Good alternative for car fuel-Good replacement for diesel fuel-Lower risk of flammability

Disadvantages-Combustion causes possible carcinogens-Expensive-Contributes to global warming-High amount of formaldehyde emissions

Advantages-Renewable-Burns cleaner-Reduced carbon dioxide emissions

Disadvantages-Production takes more energy than the fuel will generate-Lower heat of combustion-Requires lots of land to be produced