methanol and ethanol fuel alternatives
Post on 22-Feb-2016
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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
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