Methanol, a Potentially Renewable Energy Resource
Advantages and drawbacks
The advantages of M85 include:
- Methanol has the potential to provide a bridge to the hydrogen economy of the future. Methanol can be used to produce hydrogen, and the methanol industry is working on technologies that would allow methanol to produce hydrogen for fuel cells.
- M85 has a high octane rating of 102, higher than E85 (Ethanol) at 96, or gasoline at 86-94.
- M85 can be produced in the US. This will improve energy security by reducing the reliance on imported oil.
- There are significant health and environmental benefits associated with the use of M85.
- M85 can be dispensed from pumps much the same as gasoline.
- Because of its high flash point, pure methanol (M100) is less volatile than gasoline. It burns more slowly and at a lower temperature.
The drawbacks of M85 include:
- Fuel storage tanks and dispensing equipment must be corrosion and damage resistant. This is because of the potentially harmful nature of M85 (in the case of spills/leaks), and the fact that it is a corrosive solvent. Fuel delivery requires use of non-corroding hoses and stainless steel fuel tanks.
- Although the refueling process is the same as that for gasoline, there is little or no retail refueling available in the US.
- Methanol has about half the energy content of gasoline. Because mileage using M85 is lower than mileage using gasoline (10-20%), refueling is needed more frequently.
- M85 can be more expensive than gasoline.
- M85 is a volatile fuel (flammable) because of the blending with gasoline.
- As with gasoline and ethanol, methanol can be fatal when ingested. Inhalation of fumes and direct contact with skin can also be harmful.