Methanol fuel is mostly produced by steam-reforming natural gas to create synthesis gas. Feeding this synthesis gas into the reactor with a catalyst produces methanol and water vapor. Various feedstocks can produce methanol, but natural gas is currently the most economical compared to others.

Benefits of Methanol

Methanol can be an alternative to conventional transportation fuels. The benefits of methanol are given below:

• Lower production costs—Methanol is cheaper to produce than other fuels
• Improved safety—Methanol has a lower risk of flammability than gasoline
• Increased energy security—Methanol can be manufactured from various domestic carbon-based feedstocks, such as biomass, natural gas, coal, etc

Combustion Engine-

Around the world, methanol is emerging as a clean, sustainable transportation fuel. Methanol can be combined with gasoline in low quantities and used in existing road vehicles, or it can be used in high-proportion combinations such as M85 in flex-fuel vehicles or M100 in dedicated methanol-fueled vehicles as a substitute for gasoline or diesel. Methanex is working with partners around the world to promote methanol as a clean, sustainable road fuel. 

Uses of Methanol 

• It is a low-emission fuel

Methanol is a clean-burning fuel that produces less smog-causing emissions — such as sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter — and can improve air quality and related human health issues.

• It can be made from a variety of sources

Methanol is widely produced on a commercial scale from natural gas. It can also be produced from renewable sources such as biomass and recycled carbon dioxide and anything that is, or ever was a plant! Or a biodegradable object.

• It has a high octane

 As a high-octane vehicle fuel, methanol offers excellent acceleration and power to the vehicle. It also improves vehicle efficiency and durability.

• It is economical

 Methanol can be manufactured, distributed, and sold to consumers at prices competitive with those of gasoline and diesel with no need for government subsidies.  

• It is used in vehicles worldwide

Methanol is being used in vehicles around the world, particularly in China, which is the world’s largest user of methanol as automotive fuel.

• It is accessible around the world

Methanol is one of the top five chemical commodities shipped around the world every year, and unlike some alternative fuels, is readily accessible through existing global terminal infrastructure.

Aluminum Corrosion

If aluminum is ever exposed to very strong acid or basic environments outside the pH range of 4 to 9, violent corrosion will form in the form of metal pitting. Bases can disintegrate the aluminum faster than acids – for example, concentrated caustic soda reacts so violently with aluminum that it can start to boil.

Scratching this oxide skin exposes bare metal, and the process starts again. It won’t eat the metal all the way through, except under two conditions.

First, if chlorides or sulfides are around they’ll attack the aluminum oxide layer present. Sodium chloride would be an example, which is also known as common salt, which is present In the ocean. Likewise, sulfides are sulfur compounds. This compound is present in areas of polluted air.

Second, if certain conditions are met you could see galvanic corrosion. This is an electrical effect seen when dissimilar metals are brought together in presence of a conducting liquid. For example, immerse brass and aluminum. In the presence of seawater and electrons move from the aluminum to the brass, This can be a problem in metal boats and ships where brass fittings are in contact with aluminum. (Fuel tanks are a prime example.)

Preventing Aluminum Corrosion

You can’t do much about aluminum oxidation(corrosion), and unless appearance matters, it’s not much of a big problem. However, aluminum corrosion could be a serious issue if the metal is used in an important artifact or object like boats and planes. If there’s any possibility of it happening you have two options to prevent the aluminum:

• Apply a protective coating like paints or lubricant
• Minimize or mitigate the effect of galvanic corrosion by adding an alloy

You should also consider the grade or series of aluminum you’re using according to the work you will be using the metal for. Some of the theses, notably 5052 and 3003, have better corrosion-resistance properties than other series. In general, 1xxx, 3xxx, 5xxx and 6xxx series alloys offer good corrosion resistance compared to others.

Protective Coatings

There are three options when it comes to protective coatings:

• Paint
• Powder coat
• Anodize

If you are concerned about galvanic corrosion look for paint or powder with high electrical resistance that would do the job.

Anodizing is a kind of surface oxidation that can produce some very attractive finishes, However, it’s not usually practical for larger fabrications.

If taking the coating approach, don’t forget that any damage needs immediate attention. Leave some aluminum exposed and you risk corrosion getting a toehold.

Preventing Galvanic Corrosion

Try to keep the aluminum dry. Please note that The galvanic effect can’t work without an electrically-conductive liquid between the two metals. If that’s not possible, try to use electrically insulating coatings to make it work.

Many boaters also use a sacrificial anode made of zinc since it corrodes faster than aluminum, in effect, sacrificing itself. Sacrificial anodes do need replacing periodically.

Conclusion:

The chemical Methanol (CH3OH), also known as wood alcohol, was declared as an alternative fuel under the Energy policy act 1992. As an engine fuel, methanol has chemical and physical properties as fuel similar to ethanol. Methanol was widely used in the 1990s but is no longer in use or being developed as a commercial transportation fuel. Around the world, methanol is emerging as a clean, sustainable transportation fuel. Methanol can be combined with gasoline in low quantities and used in existing road vehicles, or it can be used in high-proportion combinations such as M85 in flex-fuel vehicles or M100 in dedicated methanol-fueled vehicles as a substitute for gasoline or diesel. Methanex is working with partners around the world to promote methanol as a clean, sustainable road fuel.

If aluminum is ever exposed to very strong acid or basic environments outside the pH range of 4 to 9, violent corrosion will form in the form of metal pitting. Bases can disintegrate the aluminum faster than acids – for example, concentrated caustic soda reacts so violently with aluminum that it can start to boil.