Aaah, methane is intriguing.
Biogas is a metabolic product of one of the most ancient life forms, the
methanocreatrices. Anaerobic chemoautotrophic bacteria so different from others
that many would assign them to their own kingdom.
As to methane being easily transported consider .... where propane and
natural gas can be compressed to liquids, greatly increasing energy density,
methane "resists" liquefaction, requiring tremendous pressure. This seems to be
the "fly in the ointment". Unliquefied, a tankful of methane doesn't go far.
Methane has value as a renewable fuel.
It is captured and used at waste treatment
plants to generate electricity. Methane is currently being captured at
landfills and used to generate electricity. I know of a dairy farm that
harvests methane from the manure the cows produce. They use the methane to
generate electricity. The heat from the generators heats the water used to
sanitize the milking area. They don't use the methane in their cars or farm
machinery however.
Relatively safe. Hmmm
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas. "Ocean burps" from vast storehouses of
methyl hydrates/clathrates have been credited with contributing significantly
to the end of the last ice age. The release of methane from thawing peat bogs
is a part of the cascade of events that is accelerating global warming.
Gasoline was once considered a waste product of oil refining, dumped into
rivers. When it was pointed out that it could replace ethanol as fuel for
internal combustion engines the "waste" became valuable.
Imagine what might happen if methane gas presented the same financial
opportunities by its use as vehicle fuel
.... a "renewable fuel". Do we dare the oil giants to tap the vast stores of
methane currently trapped safely under the ocean? It's already being proposed.
They can do it safely, right? Have you seen the data about leakage from
pipelines compressed gases seem to find their way out. Not so good in the case
of methane.
Capturing methane at its source and using it close to where it's produced to
generate electricity seems appropriate.
Sorry to carry on, but you did say methane was intriguing.
Best,
Tom
-----Original Message-----
From: "John Jaser" <j...@jaser.net>
Sent: 11/26/2014 2:50 PM
To: "sustainablelorgbiofuel@lists.sustainablelists.org"
<sustainablelorgbiofuel@lists.sustainablelists.org>
Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Methanol as a motor fuel
Hi Tom:
Sorry should have added the context. Intriguing as perhaps a better common
denominator than hydrogen itself. e.g. can be easily transported; can be
made from biogas; can power a fuel cell directly or indirectly; relatively safe
From: Tom
Sent: Wednesday, November 26, 2014 2:49 PM
To: sustainablelorgbiofuel@lists.sustainablelists.org
What is it about the number of hydrogens per molecule that intrigues you?
Methane: CH4, Methanol: CH3OH both have 4 H's per molecule, as would Methanoic
Acid.
Ethane: C2H6, Ethanol: C2H5OH each have 6 H's per molecule.
Is there something about the number 4
itself, or is it the number of H's per Carbon atom?
Methane: 4:1 vs Ethane: 3:1 with a decreasing ratio as we increase the size
of the carbon chain.
Just wondering,
Tom
-----Original Message-----
From: "John Jaser" <j...@jaser.net>
Sent: 11/26/2014 12:58 PM
To: "sustainablelorgbiofuel@lists.sustainablelists.org"
<sustainablelorgbiofuel@lists.sustainablelists.org>
Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Methanol as a motor fuel
Methanol is super intriguing… the amount of hydrogen per molecule.
From: Darryl McMahon
Sent: Wednesday, November 26, 2014 12:06 PM
To: sustainablelorgbiofuel@lists.sustainablelists.org
Jan, thanks for the quick response.
Not scaring me off. I have read something which suggests adding
methanol to gasoline has some potentially beneficial combustion effects.
Lower energy content was known and accepted. I generally use
synthetic lubricating oils anyway - better lube properties, longer life.
Don't know what the implications of methanol use are on synthetic
lubrication oils.
So, still curious. Not a front-burner issue for me. So 3 lines of
research at this point.
1) what are enviro pros/cons of using home-brew wood alcohol (methanol)
as gasoline substitute - mixed fuel
2) what are the consequences for engine life, performance? Engine will
not be optimized to methanol, but will be using a methanol-gasoline
blend. I understand the fuel computer on the 2002 Astro van will adjust
automatically to up to 50% ethanol blend (but have found nothing so far
regarding methanol blend). I am assuming the fuel computer is working
on oxygen and fuel energy ratios, and won't distinguish between ethanol
and methanol.
3) what does the home-brew operation entail? (if it is not based on a
sustainable biomass feedstock, then I'm not interested in pursuing it)
Many other projects have higher priority for me at this point. I'll
keep researching as time permits.
Darryl
On 26/11/2014 10:27 AM, Jan Warnqvist wrote:
> Darryl, methanol is already used as motor fuel in Indy Car and Speedway.
> Metanol is similar to ethanol, but more. It means that of all properties
> that ethanol has, methanol has more of them. Methanol is slightly more
> corrosive than water and has an oxygene content of 50% by weight. The
> flash point is slightly lower than for ethanol. Incomplete combustion of
> methanol generates formaldehyde and other toxic substances. It is also
> known that methanol can cause wear in excess in connection with the
> motor oil , unless the oil is specially suited for methanol. Your
> vehicle will consume double the amount of fuel compared to gasoline and
> cold starts will be very difficult unless you add some gasoline to the
> metanol fuel.
> However, you can expect a very high fuel effiency if your motor is fully
> adapted to the methanol fuel.
> That is the brief version, I also have designed a method for
> purification of sulfate methanol (derived from paper pulping) but that
> technology is currently classfied due to pending patent.
> I hope this information did not scar you off, but increased your curiosity.
>
> Best
> Jan Warnqvisr
>
> -----Ursprungligt meddelande----- From: Darryl McMahon
> Sent: Wednesday, November 26, 2014 4:03 PM
> To: Sustainablelorgbiofuel@lists.sustainablelists.org
> Subject: [Biofuel] Methanol as a motor fuel
>
> In Canada, it is illegal to produce ethanol for fuel without a federal
> permit, and these are effectively never granted to a home brewer.
>
> I have been pondering the idea of using methanol (wood alcohol) as an
> alternative to ethanol fuel, but have not taken the time to research it.
>
> Has somebody else already done this, and can save me the effort?
>
> My recollection is it is possible to use methanol as a motor fuel, which
> is supported by this document.
>
> https://web.anl.gov/PCS/acsfuel/preprint%20archive/Files/20_2_PHILADELPHIA_04-75_0059.pdf
>
>
> I know that during the war years (1939 to 1945), a number of people ran
> engines on wood gas (the images of large gas bladders on vehicle roof
> racks come easily to mind).
>
> I do have access to wood waste and fruit waste material, but working
> space is at a premium. Also, the processes I see seem to be based on
> having process heat available (e.g., for pyrolysis). However, I don't
> think I need a lot - our third vehicle travels about 400 km a month, and
> I figure the methanol will only displace about 20 litres a month of
> gasoline at a maximum, probably less.
>
> I can buy methanol commercially, but in small quantities (retail), it is
> more expensive than gasoline. However, could be an option for
> experimentation in the vehicle before committing to home production.
>
> I also have not yet investigated regulatory and safety issues, but
> expect the latter to be manageable.
>
> Thoughts, experience, pointers to relevant experience or information?
>
>
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>
--
Darryl McMahon
Project Manager,
Common Assessment and Referral for Enhanced Support Services (CARESS)
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