METHANOL EYED AS POSSIBLE FUEL FOR AUTOMOBILES

A three year program is being conducted to prove methanol and a methanol blend could be used in both the conventional auto engine and the diesel. Methanol could be used to improve actane number without using lead, and the possibility is bein investigated of using shale residue from uranium extraction. Problems of fuel formulation have been studied. The blend containing 16 percent methanol, 4 percent isobutanol and 80 percent gasoline has no problems with phase separation or vapor lock. A special diesel fuel consisting of pure methanol and additives is also being developed. Antiknock tests of methanol as a motor fuel is discussed. Methanol, it is noted, can come from domestically produced coal and from biomass. Vehicle modification is needed whether methanol is used straight or as blend. The carburetor needs to be redesigned to cope with the corrosion problem of pure methanol. Methanol utilization could lead to higher exhaust hydrocarbons, decreases in nitrogen oxides, and reduced volumetric fuel economy compared with gasoline. In conclusion, it is stated, methanol utilization is industrial and utility gas turbine engines used to generate electricity would be preferable from an environmental and economic consideration.

• Corporate Authors:

  Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Org

  314 Albert Street
  East Melbourne, Victoria,   Australia 
• Publication Date: 1976-5-3

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 44-45
• Serial:
  • Volume: 51
  • Issue Number: 4596

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Antiknock compounds; Automobiles; Carburetors; Corrosion; Diesel engines; Energy; Engine knock; Engines; Exhaust gases; Expansion; Formulations; Fuels; Gasoline; Hydrocarbons; Industries; Methanol; Nitric oxide; Nitrogen oxides; Octane number; Shale; Waste products (Materials)
• Old TRIS Terms: Octane rating; Substitutes
• Subject Areas: Energy; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00135409
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 22 1976 12:00AM