What is methanol?

methanol is the simplest compound of alcohol, consisting of one carbon atom and three hydrogen atoms arranged as a methyl group (Ch _{3 ), which is associated with oxygen and hydrogen atom in the hydroxyl group (OH). It can be referred to as methyl alcohol, wooden alcohol or outdated term carbinol. The compound varies from ethanol - the type of alcohol found in beers, wines and alcohols - and is toxic. It is colorless, tasteless, flammable liquid, which is quite volatile and has a slight odor. Methanol is used in many industrial processes, in some types of antifreeze, such as fuel and in the production of bionafes.}

uses

The compound is widely used as a raw material in the manufacture of other chemicals, especially formaldehyde, which in turn is used in the production of plastics. It is added to ethanol designed for purification of industrial or households, unlike drinking, to make Undrinkababe. This will prevent taxdue from alcoholic beverages. The resulting product is known as denatured alcohol or methylated spirit and usually contains about 10% methanol. Methyl alcohol is also a component in some antifreeze mixtures, in the fluid of windshield wipers and is used as a solvent in various colors and lines.

Metyl alcohol application is like fuel, either directly or in the manufacture of bionafes. It has been used in pure form for top -class racing engines, towing racers and in model aircraft with radio control, but for more general use it defends as a viable alternative to fossil fuels. Like fossil fuels, methanol produces carbon dioxide during combustion, but has the advantage that it can be cheaply made from renewable sources. It also burns more cleaner than fuels such as gasoline because it does not produce smoke, soot or a large number of harmful hydrocarbons.

in MetThe Hanol economy would be a common fuel, with non -renewable fuels having a minority share or not using at all. George Olah, chemist, is a strong advocate of this journey. Proponents point out that methyl alcohol is relatively cheap for production, can be made with small or no waste, is effective for storage and can be made from sources other than fossil fuels. Also, when converting into a hydrogen economy, it would require major changes in infrastructure, methanol could be phased relatively easily, as it can be mixed with fossil fuels such as gasoline to produce hybrid fuels during shifting.

Potential disadvantages include the fact that methyl alcohol is corrosive for some metals, especially aluminum. As a result, it would be necessary to replace some storage tanks, pipes and engine parts. It is also more toxic than many other commonly used fuels, including gasoline.

instead of the use of the compound itself as fuel can be used methanolTo produce a biodiesel, which can be burned in some diesel vehicles without expensive engine modifications. Methyl alcohol is heated by vegetable oil, along with sodium hydroxide or potassium, which acts as a catalyst. This process changes vegetable oil into smaller molecules that are more suitable as fuel, and produces glycerol as a by -product.

Toxicity

people can tolerate very small amounts of methyl alcohol - which is actually present in small amounts in some foods - without being ill, because the body is to some extent able to get rid of this harmful chemical, but in larger quantities it is toxic. In the body it is converted into formaldehyde and formats that damage cells. In particular, they may affect the optical nerve and interfere with vision. Swallowing a third of the liquid ounce (about 10 milliliters) or less could cause blindness and one or two liquid ounce (30 - 60 milliliters) could prove fatal. Methanol poisoning can occasionally result from randomSwallowing, but another possible way is to deliberately drink the methylated spirit as cheap alternatives to alcoholic beverages.

production

Traditionally, methyl alcohol was produced by combining oxide and hydrogen carbon monoxide and methane reactions with steam. Both processes are performed under pressure and use catalysts and usually raw materials come directly or indirectly from fossil fuels. However, the production of methanol production from biomass has expanded significantly to reduce these fuels. Biomass can be a plant material grown specifically for this purpose or various plant waste materials. It is divided into carbon monoxide and hydrogen, which is then used to produce alcohol.